{"id":9105,"date":"2023-09-05T11:00:33","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T15:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/oral-health-and-type-1-diabetes-what-do-you-need-to-know\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T10:17:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:17:06","slug":"oral-health-and-type-1-diabetes-what-do-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/en\/oral-health-and-type-1-diabetes-what-do-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral health and type 1 diabetes: what do you need to know?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re living with Type 1 diabetes, you’re probably well aware of how it can impact various aspects of your health. One aspect that is often overlooked, but is equally important, is oral health. Studies have shown that diabetes is a risk factor for multiple oral health complications. Namely, periodontitis (severe inflammation of the gums) occurs three times more often, more frequent caries, and tooth loss.<\/p>\n

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia alter oral health<\/h2>\n

Keeping blood sugar levels within the target range is an ongoing and challenging task when living with T1D. Consequently, encountering episodes of both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is common and can have an impact on oral health.<\/p>\n

The current recommendation<\/a> for treating hypoglycemia<\/a> is to take 15 g of fast sugars (e.g. Dex 4, juice, Rockets candy) and repeat every 15 minutes as needed. Frequent episodes of hypoglycemia or situations where the episode takes more than one try to treat can increase mouth acidity. This is especially true during times when oral hygiene is not immediately possible or challenging (e.g., during the night).\u00a0 For example, according to data from the BETTER registry (population 14 years old and older), hypoglycemia less than 3.0 mmol\/L occurs on average about 5 times per month and two-thirds of the respondents had at least one night-time hypoglycemia in the past month.<\/b> Frequent hypoglycemia and its treatment can then promote an acidic environment where cavity-causing bacteria can damage the teeth and weaken the enamel.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, hyperglycemia <\/a>can result in dry mouth: the lack of saliva favors plaque deposition, which can increase risk of gingivitis, tooth decay and thrush (white, raised, cottage cheese-like lesions caused by a fungal infection). With high blood sugar levels, there are often high levels of sugar in the mouth too, which can also create an environment for fungal infections to develop and cause thrush. Additionally, consistently high blood sugars can also weaken the body\u2019s ability to fight off bacteria, including the ones in our mouth, which can increase the risk of gum inflammation and disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Hyperglycemia can, on the other hand, slow down the healing process, making it harder for your mouth to recover from oral surgeries or injuries.<\/p>\n

Steps to take to support oral health<\/h2>\n

We know diabetes management can be challenging, so here we propose a few simple actions that can help keep your mouth and teeth healthy.<\/p>\n

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  1. Promote stable blood sugar levels: <\/b>As explained above, both high and low blood sugar can affect your teeth so keeping your blood sugar levels within the target range is not only <\/b>great for your overall health but will also help support good oral health.<\/li>\n
  2. Adopt good oral hygiene habits:<\/b> Brush your teeth after meals or at least twice a day<\/b> with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Fluoride is indicated for people living with diabetes to help remove plaque and bacteria, reducing the likelihood of gum disease and cavities. Your dentist may also recommend a fluoride mouthwash or an in-clinic fluoride treatment.<\/li>\n
  3. Have adequate tools to ensure complete hygiene:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n