Diabetes and dental problems.
Dental problems can occur to any person but they are more
likely to happen
in people suffering from diabetes. In some cases,  the first signs of the disease appear in the mouth.
Normally, a thin layer of organic substances is created on our teeth and gums. This film is called plaque and it is consisted from remaining traces of foods or drinks we have during the day. Good daily brushing and flossing removes the plaque and sustains good oral health. Overtime, a hard porous material, which is referred to as tartar, builds up around our teeth by the gum line. Some times tartar is not apparent but it can develop inside the gum itself. Good mouth hygiene and a three or six monthly scaling at our dentist’s office are the best options to prevent problems that tartar may cause.
Both plaque and tartar are ideal environments for hosting and development of huge bacterial populations which attack our teeth and –the most important- our gums. These bacteria can make the gum to shrink by infecting and disintegrating the underlying bone. This condition is call gum disease or periodontitis. If the problem is neglected and not been dealt in time, teeth get loose because of lack of adequate support and the loss of them is inevitable.
In diabetics, high blood glucose levels combined with bad oral hygiene increases the reproduction rates of bacteria dramatically with devastating effects on the gum. In other words, if you suffer from diabetes, you may get gum disease far easier. In order to prevent this, very good mouth hygiene is essential and you may need more thorough dental care. Your dentist will advise you, whether you need t more frequent check ups and scaling or not. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, see your dentist as soon as possible, especially if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
 Your gums are red, tender, bleeding or swollen.
You present receding gums that result in exposure of the roots of your teeth.
Your teeth are getting sensitive or progressively loose.
One or more teeth are painful in pressure.
Your bite doesn’t feel to be correct as it used to be.
You are experiencing a prolonged period of bad breath.
Your denture doesn’t fit properly as it used to do.
Bear in mind that if you are a heavy smoker, you have nearly 30% increased chances to be affected by gum disease.
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