Anybody who lives with type 1 diabetes is well aware of how complex managing the condition can be, and the many different ways the disease can have an adverse effect on your body. The problems poorly-controlled diabetes can cause with blood sugar levels, eyesight and blood circulation are well-known and relatively well publicised, type 1 diabetes can also have a deleterious effect on your teeth, gums and overall dental health.
However, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis does not necessarily doom you to poor dental health, as there are many ways that diabetic people can stave off diabetes-related dental problems and keep their teeth and gums as healthy as those of a non-diabetic. Keeping the following guidelines in mind will give you the best chance of avoiding any significant problems with your dental health as you manage your condition in the months and years to come:
Keep your blood sugar levels under control
Maintaining blood sugar levels that are neither too high nor too low is the most vital aspect of keeping diabetes under control, as both high and low blood sugar levels can lead to serious and potentially dangerous health problems. However, keeping blood sugar levels in check is just as important for your dental health.
If your blood sugar levels climb too high, the body will attempt to flush out some of the excess glucose through any and all available channels; this includes the salivary glands. Diabetics with high blood sugar will therefore have sugary saliva, and are at significantly more risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems more commonly associated with excessive sugar intake.
Watch out for thrush
Thrush, more properly known as oral candidiasis, is a painful and debilitating fungal infection that attacks the gums, tongue and lining of the mouth, producing a distinctive white rash that is usually accompanied by a stinging, burning sensation. Type 1 diabetes sufferers are particularly vulnerable to thrush, as the fungus that causes it thrives on the excess sugar found in diabetic saliva, and is less likely to be killed off by a diabetic person's weakened immune system.
If you suffer from type 1 diabetes and notice a white rash developing in your mouth, seek treatment from a dentist or GP as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to the throat and causing more significant problems. Some medications used to treat diabetes can place sufferers at increased risk of contracting thrush, but you should not stop taking them if you develop thrush unless advised to do so by your doctor.
Have regular dental checkups
However attentive you are about treating your diabetes and maintaining your overall health, you can't anticipate every problem that the disease might cause, and spotting the early signs of diabetes'related dental problems can be difficult. You should therefore have regular checkups at a reputable dental clinic to make sure that any problems that do occur are caught at their earliest, most treatable stages.
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