Diabetes: The signs in your mouth that tell your blood sugar may be too high

The first step of diagnosis for any condition is watching out for key symptoms. Be it the common cold or flu, heart disease or diabetes – some basic symptoms standout for every condition. Diabetes, a condition that affects millions across the globe and results in countless health complications, is also backed by a number of symptoms like:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Hunger pangs
• Unexplained weight loss

However, have you ever heard that your gums or even the tongue could also hint at diabetes risk?

Strange as it sounds, there are some signs in your mouth that could hint at diabetes. Take a look.

1. Dry mouth: Saliva production in your mouth is impacted by blood sugar levels. If they go uncontrollably high, saliva production can go low and you may feel excess dryness in your mouth. Over time, the same can result in sores, ulcers and even cavities.
2. Slow healing of cuts and infections: One of the many side effects of diabetes on your health is a slow immune system. High blood sugar levels impact the healing process and slow down recovery from external cuts and wounds. The same applies for oral health; in sores, ulcers and infections are taking too long to health, it could be a symptom of diabetes.
3. Thrush: People with diabetes who frequent anti-fungal medication are more likely to develop an infection in their mouth or on their tongue. This virus thrives on high blood sugar in the saliva of people with uncontrolled diabetes.
4. Burning tongue or mouth: Thrush and dry mouth could be responsible for a condition known as burning tongue syndrome. Patients can feel their tongue go numb or may experience tingling in the mouth. One may also lose the ability to taste as a result of ageing.                                                                  
   

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WHAT DIABETES DOES TO YOUR MOUTH

4 Signs You May Have a Problem
Diabetes puts you at risk for dental problems. It impairs your ability to fight bacteria in your mouth. Having high blood sugar encourages bacteria to grow and contributes to gum disease. You may have gum disease if you have:
Gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or swollen, or that pull away from your teeth
Loose teeth
Chronic bad breath
An irregular bite or dentures that don't fit well


Control Diabetes to Keep Your Smile
Well-controlled diabetes contributes to a healthy mouth. If you have poorly controlled or high blood sugar, your risk increases for dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, and fungal infections like thrush. Since infections can also make your blood sugar rise, your diabetes may become even harder to control. Keeping your mouth healthy can help you manage your blood sugar.


Ask Dentist to Check Regularly For Oral Infections
People with diabetes are prone to oral infections. You should get dental check-ups at least twice a year. Let your dentist know you have diabetes and what medicines you take. Regular check-ups and professional cleaning can help keep a mouth healthy. And your dentist can teach you the best ways to care for your teeth and gums at home.


Keep Plaque at Bay
Sticky plaque -- food, saliva, and bacteria -- starts to form on your teeth after you eat, releasing acids that attack your tooth enamel. Untreated plaque turns into tartar, which builds under gum lines and is hard to remove with flossing. The longer it stays on your teeth, the more harmful it is. Bacteria in plaque causes inflammation and leads to gum disease. Having high blood sugar often makes gum disease worse.


Brush Twice Daily And Brush Correctly
Brushing your teeth twice a day not only keeps your breath sweet, but also helps rid your mouth of bacteria that makes up plaque and can lead to oral infections. To brush properly, point your bristles at a 45-degree angle against your gums. Use gentle back-and-forth strokes all over your teeth -- in front, in back, and on chewing surfaces -- for two minutes. If holding a toothbrush is hard for you, try an electric toothbrush. Also brush your gums and tongue.


Floss Daily
Flossing helps control plaque. It can reach where a toothbrush can't, like between the teeth. Floss daily with floss and inter-dental cleanersl. Ask your dentist for tips if you're not sure how to floss. Like everything else, flossing gets easier with practice.


Take Care of Your Dentures
Loose-fitting or poorly maintained dentures can lead to gum irritation and infections. It's important to talk to your dentist about any changes in the fit of your dentures. When you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of fungal infections like thrush. And poorly maintained dentures can contribute to thrush, too. It's important to remove and clean your dentures daily to help reduce your risk of infection.


Tobacco Bad For The Mouth
Tobacco products -- including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and pipes -- are bad for anyone's mouth. But if you have diabetes and you smoke, you are at even greater risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco can damage gum tissue and cause receding gums. It can also speed up bone and tissue loss, leading to lost teeth. Motivate yourself to quit. List your reasons for quitting, set a date, and get the support of family and friends.


Prepare for Oral Surgery
Well-controlled blood sugar reduces your risk of infection and speeds healing. If you need oral surgery, tell your dentist and surgeon you have diabetes beforehand. Your doctor may recommend that you wait to have surgery until your blood sugars are under control.


Look For the Warning Signs
Regular dental check-ups are important because your dentist can spot gum disease even when you don't have any pain or symptoms. But you should examine your teeth and gums yourself for early signs of trouble. Infections can move fast. If you notice redness, swelling, bleeding, loose teeth, dry mouth, pain, or any other oral symptoms that worry you, talk to your dentist right away.