Can your dentist predict your diabetes risk?

Regular dental checks can keep oral health on track. But did you know that your dentist can also detect early signs of serious health conditions by looking in your mouth? This makes your dental check-up one of the least invasive and most valuable health checks. If you’re living with diabetes, mouth care is a vital part of staying healthy.

If you’re getting dental checks and cleans with your dentist every 6-12 months, well done. We recommend these regular appointments to help prevent oral health problems, including tooth decay and gum disease.¹

While you might think your dentist is just looking for problems with your teeth and gums, we’re actually doing a lot more. Simply by looking in your mouth, dentists can detect multiple health concerns based on how your teeth, gums, cheeks and even lips respond to examination.

If you’re diligent about getting regular checks, your dentist is in a unique position to track the progress of oral health and potential issues. If a tooth extraction site isn’t healing well, or if you have inflammation of the gums that isn’t responding to usual treatments, your dentist will see that over time and refer you to your GP if they think it’s necessary.

Most importantly, some early signs of chronic health conditions can appear in the mouth and be spotted by your dentist.

There are several ways poor oral hygiene is linked to some serious health problems.

Bacteria in the mouth can cause gum disease, but it can also increase the risk of cardiovascular issues.

Studies show that people with gum disease can have up to a 28% increased risk of heart disease.² Oral bacteria can get into the blood stream and impact arteries, leading to dangerous blockages.³

The body’s immune response to inflammation caused by bacteria in the mouth may cause damage to the heart and brain. Experts also suggest there may be a link between oral health and the liver, with 68% of people with cirrhosis having gum disease.⁴

Other signs of health problems include a sore tongue or ulcers in the mouth that can be caused by an iron deficiency, ulcers or cold sores on the lip that can be a sign of a virus, and tooth enamel erosion can come from acid reflux and some eating disorders.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition impacting more than 1.3 million Australians.⁵

People living with diabetes or prediabetes or those who are at a high risk of developing diabetes need to be vigilant about oral hygiene and care.

Diabetes can cause oral issues including cavities, dry mouth, gum disease and slower than usual recovery and healing from possible infections or trauma to the mouth, such as a tooth extraction.⁶

Reasons for this include the presence of a higher level of sugar in saliva in people living with diabetes. Bacteria thrive on sugar, increasing the chance of cavities and gum disease developing.

People living with diabetes may also have compromised immune response meaning an infection that would heal quickly in some people, will take longer and has more risks of complication.

Diabetes and some medicines used to treat diabetes can cause the salivary glands in your mouth to make less saliva. We know that saliva is a protective factor against tooth decay and gum disease, so a drier mouth can be more susceptible to these conditions.

Other oral signs that can be linked to diabetes include oral fungal infections and or altered taste. Watch out for things like blood when you brush or floss, sore spots on the gums, inflammation or an overly dry mouth. If you see any of these signs, don’t wait for your 6 monthly check up, see your dentist straight away.

Brush first thing

Overnight, we don’t have the level of saliva in our mouths, so it can get dry and foster bacteria. Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste as soon as you wake up, before you eat or drink anything, can help reduce any bacteria that has built up overnight and protect your tooth enamel. Yes, your brekkie might taste a bit minty, and you might even want to have a quick brush or mouthrinse before you leave the house, but early morning brushing is a good idea.

Limit sugar frequency

Bacteria love sugar, so the more times a day you consume sugar, the more chances bacteria have to thrive. Limit the amount of sugar you eat and drink, and how many times a day you have sugar, and don’t consume any sugar before you have brushed your teeth in the morning, when your mouth is at its most vulnerable, or after brushing at night.

Avoid all-day grazing

Every time we eat anything or drink anything other than water, we are giving bacteria a chance to grow in the mouth and between the teeth. Grazing all day doesn’t give our mouths the chance to rest and recover. Eating a well-balanced diet of 3 meals and 2 snacks is better for our oral health than grazing all day.

Brush (twice) and floss (once) every day

Brushing 2-3 times a day and flossing once a day is the gold standard of oral health. You can do more, but be careful not to overdo it, as this can lead to gum recession and wearing away of enamel.

Eat a balanced diet

Prioritising high-fibre foods (fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrains), lean protein (fish, chicken, tofu), and low-GI carbohydrates (oats, quinoa, beans, lentils) can help support stable blood sugar and reduce the fuel for bacteria in your mouth.

See your dentist every 6 months

Tell your dentist if you have a family history of diabetes, if you’re living with diabetes or prediabetes, or if you have any concerns about your oral health and diabetes. See your dentist every 6 months so that any issues can be treated in their early stages.