Statistics have shown that nearly 1 in 10 Canadians live with diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects your body’s ability to produce insulin, a hormone needed to break down blood glucose (or sugars) in your blood. If left unmanaged, diabetes can cause significant damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, but it can also affect your oral health – even in cases where its effects are mitigated through the use of medical insulin and blood sugar management.

People with diabetes are at a higher overall risk of developing cavities, experience higher rates of tooth decay and are more likely to suffer from gum inflammation or gum disease (also known as periodontitis). This is due to higher levels of blood sugars, which also increases the amount of sugar present in your saliva. These sugars lead to your saliva feeding tooth decay-causing bacteria in your mouth, rather than neutralizing and washing them away like it’s supposed to. In addition, both diabetes itself and some medicines used in its treatment can contribute to reduced saliva production. With less saliva to help protect your teeth, bacteria can quickly multiply and combine with leftover food particles to cause plaque, tartar and cavities. With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that people with diabetes suffer significantly higher rates of tooth loss as they age than the general population.

So, if you suffer from diabetes, how can you prevent these issues? While you may be at higher risk for oral health issues, the biggest steps towards prevention you can take are the same as those without diabetes: Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth, drink lots of water and visit your dentist for regular six-month cleanings and checkups. If you have diabetes, make sure to mention it at your next appointment – we make booking a breeze, just use the orange “Book Online” button – your dentist can advise you on any additional steps you may need to take to keep your mouth healthy and your smile confident.  

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