Dentist

Diabetes is a condition that impacts your body’s ability to control blood glucose levels. If you have Type I diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, which transports sugar from your blood to the body’s cells. If you have Type II diabetes, your body doesn’t respond to insulin as it should. In both cases, you’re more likely to have problems with your oral health.

How Does Diabetes Impact Your Oral Health?

Diabetes impacts your dental health in many ways. Patients with diabetes often experience dry mouth, where there’s less saliva than usual. Saliva serves an important function, helping to wash away food particles and acids. If you don’t have enough saliva, these particles may settle in the mouth, leading to tooth decay. This is why patients with diabetes have a higher risk of developing cavities. Dry mouth is also linked to ulcers, infections, and soreness in the mouth.

Diabetes can slow the healing process from wounds, so those who have dental surgery may struggle with a slower recovery time. These patients are also more susceptible to infections. Proper care and treatment will help you avoid or minimize these risks.

Is There a Connection Between Gum Disease and Diabetes?

Patients with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease. Both early gum disease, known as gingivitis, and serious gum disease known as periodontitis are more likely in diabetes patients. In fact, almost 22 per cent of those with diabetes also suffer from periodontal disease. If you have diabetes, you’re as much as four times more likely to develop periodontal disease than someone without diabetes.

If you struggle to control your blood sugar levels, your risk for gum disease will increase. The association between gum disease and diabetes may also go both ways. Some research has suggested that gum disease may impact one’s ability to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Gum disease is caused by bacteria infecting the gum line. These bacteria will inflame the gums and may damage both the gum tissue and bone in your mouth.

Left untreated, gum disease can cause bad breath, pain, bleeding of the gums, difficulty chewing, and tooth loss. As mentioned previously, diabetes can also slow healing, which might make it more difficult to treat gum disease properly. However, it’s important to work closely with your dentist if you have signs of gum disease. The sooner you address the problem, the better your chances of avoiding serious complications like tooth loss and bone loss.

um disease is not at all uncommon. In fact, 70 per cent of Canadians will develop gum disease during their lifetime. While gum disease is more prevalent in older Canadians, this isn’t simply an unavoidable part of aging. There are many things that you can do to prevent and treat gum disease. Understanding gum disease and taking the proper precautions now will go a long way toward protecting your health.  Updated for 2019, read this newly updated and expanded blog to learn more.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. As plaque builds up at the base of the tooth, it can begin to grow beneath the gum line. Over time, untreated gum disease can cause permanent damage to the gum tissue and may even result in tooth loss.

There are two primary types of gum disease. The first — gingivitis — is milder. You may have gingivitis without any discomfort or noticeable symptoms. This is why it’s important to see your dentist on a regular basis. Though you may not see the signs of gum disease, the professional providers in our network will. Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease that may develop when gingivitis goes untreated.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup that typically results from poor oral hygiene. The most effective way to prevent gum disease is by brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly. This will remove plaque from your teeth. You should also see your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. During this appointment, your dentist will remove both plaque and a form of hardened plaque known as tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by at-home brushing and flossing.

Oral health is important for patients of all ages, but there are many problems that become more pressing in older patients. Seniors are more likely to experience trouble with lost teeth, denture care, discoloration, and periodontal disease. Understanding the hazards that are unique to seniors will help you get a better idea of how to address and prevent these issues.

Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

On average, your body should produce more than a quart-and-a-half of saliva each day. This helps break down food, wash away bacteria, prevent tooth decay, and protect against bad breath. If your mouth is too dry, you may experience myriad problems, from minor discomfort to major problems with cavities.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is caused by many medications that seniors take. Since roughly 90 per cent of people over the age of 65 are on some type of medication, dry mouth is particularly common in this age group. Infections, hormone changes, allergies, and blocked nasal passages can all lead to dry mouth as well.

Bad Breath

Seniors often struggle with bad breath, which can make social situations uncomfortable. It’s important to understand that bad breath isn’t a symptom that stands on its own. There’s an underlying cause that you need to address, which can help you eliminate this issue. Dry mouth and periodontal disease can both contribute to bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene is another leading cause. You should see your dentist twice a year, and brush and floss daily to keep your teeth clean. If you have dentures, make sure you’re as vigilant about cleaning them as you would be about real teeth. Plaque can build up on both dentures and teeth, and this is a major contributor to unpleasant breath.

Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is a common problem among seniors. On average, patients over the age of 65 have 18.9 teeth remaining. Over 27 per cent of seniors have no remaining teeth. Smoking and poor dental hygiene are major contributors to tooth loss in this age group. See your dentist regularly to decrease your chances of losing teeth. If you do lose a tooth, visit your dentist as soon as possible to explore options that will help preserve your ability to eat, talk, and smile comfortably, such as a tooth implant.

Cavities

Over time, it can become easier for cavities to develop in your teeth. This puts seniors at a higher risk. Consuming foods high in sugar will increase your chances of getting cavities. You can help prevent them by limiting sugary drinks and foods, and brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Using an antiseptic mouth rinse will help protect your teeth from cavities as well.

Poor Denture Care

Some people fall victim to the myth that dentures aren’t as delicate as regular teeth. In fact, your dentures require just as much care and attention as real teeth would. You should brush and clean them regularly to avoid damage and discoloration. Plaque can build up on dentures as it would on any other tooth, and this may irritate your gum tissue and lead to gum disease and other problems.

Remove your dentures after every meal and rinse them off to get rid of food particles. Brush your dentures each evening and place them in a cleaning solution to soak. Brush your gums gently with a soft-bristled brush to keep them clean and healthy as well.