Seattle Health Blog

If you have diabetes, make sure your oral health care. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, including gum disease (periodontal disease). This disease damages the gums and jaw bones (whose function is to hold the teeth in place) and can lead to painful chewing. Those people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. The gum disease may also hinder the control of sugar (glucose) levels.

Other problems caused by diabetes is a condition known as dry mouth or dry mouth, and an infection called thrush. Dry mouth occurs when there is not enough saliva (the fluid that keeps the mouth moist.) Furthermore, diabetes can increase the level of glucose in the saliva. The combination of these problems may lead to thrush, a small white ulcers that appear in the mouth that are painful.

Remember, adequate control of blood glucose will help prevent mouth problems.