How Your Dentist Can Detect Diabetes

Your goal should be to visit the dentist twice a year in order to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. However, were you aware that your dentist may actually be able to identify symptoms of diabetes? There are a lot of symptoms that become apparent when having your teeth and gums inspected. While you'll need to have a blood test done to verify any potential findings, these signs will tell your dentist that you could have a problem with diabetes that you were not aware of.

Gum Issues

When your blood sugar level is higher than normal, it can result in having more sugar in your mouth, which is what bacteria thrive on. That bacteria will then cause more inflammatory acids to be released in your mouth, which will result in overall problems with your gums.

Bad Breath

That extra bacteria in your mouth can have an impact on the quality of your breath. If you have been extra diligent about brushing your teeth regularly and still cannot get rid of your bad breath, let your dentist know. They may discover that it is due to having extra bacteria in your mouth that is caused by diabetes.

Gum Infection

Your gums will also become more prone to having an infection, such as an abscess under your gums. Your dentist will want to treat the abscess by draining the pus and prescribing an antibiotic so that it can heal. However, you may discover that new abscesses form and that your body is more prone to gingival infections than it has been in the past.

Tooth Decay

All of that excess sugar in your mouth can also cause your teeth to decay. Even if you are good about brushing and flossing every day, it will be hard to keep up on your oral health during the day, which will cause tooth decay to occur.

Thrush

The higher risk of bacterial infections for diabetics will also make them more prone to having thrush. The fungal infection will cause a white coating to appear on soft tissues inside your mouth.

Dry Mouth

Some diabetics will suffer from dry mouth, which is caused by their body not producing the saliva they need to naturally rinse out their mouth during the day. Dry mouth can also contribute to other problems, such as decay, bad breath, and infections.

Ask your dentist if they notice any signs of diabetes during your next checkup.