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Research shows that your oral health is directly connected to your overall health. In short, the bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and cause infections. Equally, plaque can be carried into your bloodstream and increase the risk of blocked arteries.

But, did you realize that the same is true the other way around? Issues with your health, such as diabetes can cause mouth problems.

It’s one of the reasons why you should see a reputable dentist, such as this dentist Narre Warren, at least once a year and perhaps more often.

Understanding Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. The main difference is in severity. Both types occur when your body has a problem with insulin.

Insulin is produced to help your body process sugar, ensuring some is available for energy and the rest is stored for when needed. When you have type 1 diabetes your body is not capable of making insulin. This means that you can’t control your blood sugar level. The result is you need to take insulin every day to help your body manage blood sugar.

In type 2 you produce some insulin but your body is not very efficient at using it. This is the most common type of diabetes.

How It Relates To Oral Health

The majority of the food you eat has sugar in it. While this heads through your system and provides you with energy, the excess is stored and can cause weight gain. Alongside this, the sugar in your food reacts with bacteria in your mouth and produces acid. This acid then attacks the enamel on your teeth. Over time the enamel can be worn down, allowing bacteria into your teeth and causing cavities as well as infections.

A key part of the above process and keeping your mouth healthy is the production of saliva. This reduces the effects of the acid which causes tooth decay.

Unfortunately, people with diabetes will often have dry mouths as they fail to produce enough saliva. The result is an increased likelihood of tooth decay, ulcers, infections, and general soreness.

But, that’s not the only way that diabetes can affect your mouth:

  • Poor Healing

A lack of saliva will make it more likely that you’ll suffer from gum disease. This is when bacteria infect the gum and cause it to become inflamed. This is made worse by diabetes as it causes blood vessels to thicken, reducing the number of nutrients that can get around your body. On top of this white blood cells are weakened and your body is less effective at removing toxins.

The result is it’s easier for bacteria to infect your gums and cause issues.

  • Thrush

People with diabetes are more prone to infections and are therefore more likely to take antibiotics regularly.

This makes them prone to developing oral thrush when the tongue is coated with a white fungus.

  • Poor Healing

The reduced flow of nutrients and the fact that diabetes causes your body to attack its own immune system means that your tissues will heal slower. That can create additional issues when a cut in your mouth takes longer than it should to heal.