Skip to main content
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 18 February 2018
Graphic image of a stethoscope on a tooth

Dr Paromita Ganguli, Senior Dental Surgeon with Fortis, Calcutta, explains the correlation between diabetes and dental care, and how the former, if not controlled, can affect dental health adversely.

What are the most common oral health problems affecting persons with diabetes?

The stomatognathic system comprising the oral cavity, the lining mucosa, the dentition, the periodontium supporting bone muscles and nerves are usually all affected with diabetes. 
The most common diseases are:

  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis
  • Mucosititis
  • Fungal Infection, e.g., candidiasio
  • Rampant caries
  • Dry mouth
  • Lichen planus

How does diabetes affect your gums? 

Persistent and uncontrolled diabetes cause inflammation and injury to the gums. This in turn causes swelling of gums, bleeding from gums. Recurrent gum infections at times lead to recession of gums and bone loss.

How does gum disease in turn affect blood glucose levels?

Periodontitis or gum disease and diabetes have a two way relationship. There is a release of certain chemical microflora and the periodontitis (gum diseases) causing bacteria which leads to increased blood glucose levels. The mechanism involves immune modulation. A healthy gum condition helps in bringing down blood glucose levels. 

Related Reading - 10 Tips To Good Oral Health

What can lead to mouth problems (such as dry mouth, thrush etc.) seen in diabetic patients?

Dry mouth, burning mouth and thrush or candidiasis are indicative of uncontrolled or impaired glycemic control. Increased blood sugar levels, anti-diabetic medications, dehydration and reduced salivary flow are the causal factors.

Do diabetic patients have bad teeth? If yes, can you explain why?

Diabetic patients do not have bad teeth per se. Uncontrolled diabetes makes them vulnerable to dental diseases.

Many believe that children with diabetes have greater risks for cavities. Is that true?

The type of diabetes usually affecting children and adolescents is Type 1 diabetes and is a life-long and chronic disease. Children are prone to bacteria growth in mouth. The resultant plaque buildup causes both cavities and gum diseases. 

What can one do to prevent dental problems associated with diabetes?

Awareness is the first step in the prevention of diseases. Oral and periodontal health management should be an integral part of diabetes management. A good glycemic control, good oral hygiene and regular dental check up go a long way to prevent and control the dental diseases.

What are dental implants? Are diabetic patients eligible for it?

Dental implants are widely used procedure for dental rehabilitation. It requires integration of a part of implant system in the bone. A well-controlled diabetes with a good oral hygiene status can go in for the procedure with good and predictive results. Smoking has a significant adverse role in survival of implants.

Does any type of dental surgery put a diabetic patient more at risk for infections?

A person with a stable diabetes condition can safely undergo routine dental procedure without modifications in treatment planning. Dental treatment should be planned with good glycemic control. Diabetes increases chances of infection and retards healing. Tooth extractions, drainage of extractions, dental procedures under general anaesthesia hold the diabetes patient at risk due to infectious complications. 

How can a dentist help? What oral hygiene advice do you give your patients?

First and foremost the dentist should focus on a holistic approach along with the physician in providing the basic care in proper glycemic control. My advice would be ‘Prevention is the best cure’ along these lines: 

  • Control of blood sugar levels
  • Healthy fibre rich diet
  • Avoid smoking
  • Regular brushing and flossing
  • Use non-alcoholic mouthwash
  • Clean the prosthesis very well in case one uses them
  • Regular periodic checkups
  • Any problem should be promptly attended to

Related Reading:

Oral Health and Chronic Health Conditions

Dental Care for the Elderly

Changed
14/Apr/2025
Condition

Stories

  • Pic of a woman in dance outfit and text on thumbnail Personal Voice Diabetes Management
    नृत्य और संतुलित आहार - मधुमेह के प्रबंधन के मेरे दो स्तम्भ
    59 वर्षीया संगीता इस लेख में अपना अनुभव साझा करते हुए बताती हैं कि कैसे नृत्य और संतुलित आहार को एकीकृत करके उन्हें अपने रक्त शर्करा के स्तर को नियंत्रित करने में मदद मिली। वे इस बात पर भी जोर देती हैं कि कौन कौन से उपचार का तरीका आपके शरीर के लिए उपयुक्त है, यह सोचना जरूरी है, और इस के लिए जरूरत हो तो डॉक्टर बदलना सामान्य माना जाना चाहिए। कृपया मधुमेह के निदान को प्राप्त करने की अपनी यात्रा के बारे में बताएं। 2002 में, 36 साल की उम्र में गर्भावस्था की दूसरी तिमाही के दौरान मुझे गर्भावधि…
  • An elderly Indian couple holding a red umbrella walking in the rain and the text overlay on blue strip Health of Older Adults in Monsoon
    Managing Older Adults Health In Rainy Season
    As we age, our immunity and ability to withstand infections decline. This makes us more vulnerable to infections. The monsoon season particularly adds to the risk of falls due to slippery surfaces, diseases like dengue and malaria from mosquito bites, diarrhea and also aggravation of respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Here are a few conditions to watch out for and how to manage our health during the rainy season: Food and Waterborne Diseases Monsoons are associated with a lot of…
  • Pic of a woman in dance outfit and text on thumbnail Personal Voice Diabetes Management
    Managing Diabetes With 2Ds - Dance And Diet
    Sangeeta, 59, shares her experience on how integrating dance and a balanced diet effectively helped her manage blood sugar levels. She also highlights that it is important to consider which treatment suits your body, hence changing doctors should be considered normal Please share your journey with the diagnosis of diabetes. In 2002, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my second trimester at the age of 36. Following my doctor’s recommendations, I took the necessary precautions and…
  • An elderly man on the floor, being assisted by a woman, with his cane on the floor next to him and hindi text overlay on blue strip वृद्धों में गिरने के कारण
    वृद्धों में गिरने के कारण
    विश्वभर की आबादी में वृद्धों का अनुपात अन्य आय-वर्गों के मुकाबले बढ़ रहा है। गिरने के हादसे और उससे जुड़ी चोटें और रुग्णता बढ़ रहे हैं और यह विश्व स्तर पर एक महत्वपूर्ण चुनौती है। बुजुर्गों में गिरने के कारणों को जानने से इस समस्या की संभावना को कम करने के लिए उचित जागरूकता बढ़ाई जा सकती है। इसकी रोकथाम के लिए कदम लेने में सहायता मिल सकती है। आइए इस लेख में बुजुर्गों के गिरने के कारणों के बारे में अधिक जानें । जेरिएट्रिक मेडिसिन क्षेत्र के दिग्गज प्रोफेसर बर्नार्ड इसाक ने कहा है,  'एक…
  • An elderly man on the floor, being assisted by a woman, with his cane on the floor next to him and text overlay on blue strip Causes of Falls in Elderly
    Causes of Falls in Older Adults
    The demographic of the world's population is shifting towards older age groups. The prevalence of falls and associated injuries and morbidity is on the rise, posing a significant global challenge. Knowing the causes of falls in elderly can help create awareness and aid prevention. Let’s find out a bit more about the causes of falls in elderly.  Professor Bernard Isaacs, a giant in geriatric medicine said, ‘It takes a child one year to acquire independent movement and ten years to acquire…
  • Pic of the author Marianne holding her book and the text My CGM experience on the side
    CGM with an Active Lifestyle
    Marianne de Nazareth who has lived with and managed diabetes for a long time, decided to try out the latest technology for diabetes management, the CGM or Continuous Glucose Monitor. She shares her experience here.  So here I was enjoying the company of 10 other writers in the friend's home one evening, when I noticed one of them kept touching her arm with her phone and only then agreeing to a drink or indulge in a snack. She told me - a person with long term diabetes about Continuous…
  • Pictures of Dr. Usha Sriram and Dr. Gita Arjun and the text Diabetes During Pregnancy
    गर्भावस्था के दौरान मधुमेह: कुछ आवश्यक जानकारी
    भारत में मधुमेह एक बढ़ती हुई चिंता का विषय है, और यह युवाओं में और विशेषकर गर्भावस्था के दौरान महिलाओं में भी देखा जा रहा है। डॉ. उषा श्रीराम (एंडोक्रिनोलॉजिस्ट, दिवास एनजीओ की संस्थापक) और डॉ. गीता अर्जुन (ओब्गिन, डायरेक्टर, ईवी कल्याणी मेडिकल फाउंडेशन) के साथ वेबिनार चर्चा पर आधारित इस लेख में आपको गर्भावस्था के दौरान होने वाले मधुमेह और इसके प्रबंधन को समझने में मदद मिलेगी। गर्भकालीन मधुमेह (गेस्टेशनल डाइअबीटीज़) क्या है? जब किसी भी प्रकार के मधुमेह का सबसे पहले निदान गर्भावस्था के दौरान किया…
  • Pictures of Dr. Usha Sriram Dr Tarakeswari and Dr Shital Patel and the text Gestational Diabetes and Post Delivery Care
    Gestational Diabetes and Post-Delivery Care
    Dr. Tarakeswari S. (MD ObGyn, Senior Consultant & Head – Obstetric Medicine Unit at Fernandez Hospital), Dr. Usha Sriram (Endocrinologist, Founder of Diwas NGO) & Dr. Shital Patel (Lactation Counselor and Medical Advisor at PatientsEngage) help us understand Gestational diabetes and post-partum or post-delivery care for better management of consequences. As we all know Gestational diabetes or Diabetes during pregnancy needs to be diagnosed on time and careful monitoring is required…
  • Pictures of Dr. Usha Sriram and Dr. Gita Arjun and the text Diabetes During Pregnancy
    Diabetes during Pregnancy: What You Must Know
    Diabetes is a growing concern in India, affecting younger people especially women during pregnancy. This article based on the webinar discussion with Dr. Usha Sriram (Endocrinologist, Founder of Diwas NGO) & Dr. Gita Arjun (Obgyn, Director, E V Kalyani Medical Foundation) helps us understand diabetes and its management during pregnancy. What is Gestational Diabetes? Any type of Diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy is known as Gestational Diabetes. It can be of two types.…
  • लेखक अंजना त्रिपाठी की छवि उनके पुस्तक कवर के साथ Composite Image of the author anjana tripathi with her book cover
    बच्चे का पालन-पोषण सकारात्मक और शांत रहकर करें
    जब अंजना त्रिपाठी की 14 साल की बेटी के टाइप 1 डायबिटीज़ (मधुमेह) का पता चला तो उन्हें बहुत बड़ा धक्का लगा। इस स्थिति के लिए आवश्यक समायोजन करने के लिए उन्हें बहुत बड़े बदलाव करने पड़े। अंजनाजी इस लेख में साझा करती हैं कि उनके परिवार ने इस स्थिति में किस तरह की चुनौतियों से जूझना पड़ा। उन्होंने अपने अनुभवों को एक अच्छी तरह से शोधित पुस्तक में भी प्रस्तुत करा है। कृपया हमें अपनी बेटी की स्थिति के बारे में बताएं। उसका निदान कब किया गया था? उसकी आयु कितनी थी? मेरी बेटी दैनिक रूप से टाइप 1 डायबिटीज…