Diabetes & Your Teeth: What You Need To Know

2.4 million Canadians (or nearly 7% of the population) have diabetes. We don’t have to tell you that living with diabetes is no fun, and unfortunately, we have more bad news. Diabetes also affects your mouth, gums, and teeth — and not in a good way.

Teeth Erupt Faster.

Type one diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, is not as common as type two. However, many Canadian children and their parents have to work around this disease every single day. While parents are familiar with how diabetes affects their child’s eating habits and energy, they may not realize that it also affects how quickly their adult teeth erupt. Diabetic children, and especially girls, will frequently lose their baby teeth sooner than an average child.

Less Saliva, More Cavities.

This is problematic because all diabetic Canadians (even the adults) have a higher risk for cavities and gum disease than their non-diabetic neighbours. In general, those with diabetes produce less saliva than healthy adults. Saliva plays an important role in neutralizing acids produced by bacteria and keeping bacteria growth in check. Without enough saliva, bacteria can reproduce faster and cause more cavities.

Controlling Gum Disease.

Gum disease is a common issue for all Canadians, but as infections can hinder a person’s ability to naturally control their blood sugar, it’s much more problematic for those with diabetes. Fortunately, research has shown that diabetics who have healthy gums have an easier time controlling their blood sugar, so daily flossing and scheduling semi-annual appointments with your dentist can help you have a healthy smile and better blood sugar control!

Diabetes affects the entire body from the teeth to the toes. Understanding how this disease changes your health can help you to make informed decisions to stay as healthy as possible. If you need to schedule an appointment or want to learn more about how diabetes might affect your oral health, contact the experts at Metro Dental Care today!