Aging and Disease

We diabetics have to pay even more attention to our teeth and gums than other
people.

We are at greater risk of cavities, gum disease and tooth infections. Not only that,
but those infections can cause our blood sugar to rise, so it becomes a vicious cycle.

Here are some mouth problems common in diabetics.

Plaque

Plaque is, of course, a problem for many people, not just diabetics. But it’s caused
by starches and sugars, and of course we have more than our share of those! So
diabetics are highly prone to plaque.

Dry mouth

Sometimes my mouth is so dry in the morning I can hardly speak�I’m sure you
know how that feels. But it’s more than just inconvenient, it’s dangerous to the
health of our mouths. You see, saliva washes away many of the bacteria that cause
cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth cuts the amount of saliva available for this job,
so the result is more cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth sometimes also creates
inflammation of the soft tissue in the mouth, making eating difficult and
unpleasant.

While there are artificial saliva substitutes, which your dentist can tell you about,
you can usually stimulate your own saliva by sucking on a sugar-free hard candy. I
like no-sugar-added Ricola for this purpose. And of course, drinking water helps.

Fungal infections

Not only do we diabetics have less saliva than we need, but the saliva we do have is
high in sugar content, so it’s double trouble for us. This can cause a fungal infection
called candiasis, commonly known as thrush. It produces sore red or white spots in
the mouth. Medication can help though, so ask your dentist.

As a diabetic, you must pay great attention to oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a
day, and floss daily. Examine your gums for signs of problems�and always visit
your dentist at least twice a year.

Bob Fleming suffers from Type 2 diabetes, but he does everything he can to suffer as
little as possible! Visit his website at http://www.thediabetesinfoplace.com for
informative articles and resources, and sign up to receive http://www.thediabetesinfoplace.com/ Bob’s free weekly diabetic-friendly dessert recipe!

Tags: Disease, Aging

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