Sugar & Smiles

Understanding How Diabetes Affects the Mouth and Gums (Part 2)

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Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases that lead to high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycaemia), which occurs when the body does not make any or enough insulin, or does not use insulin well. As diabetes is a relatively common condition, practising dentists are likely to encounter it frequently.

Dental Considerations for People with Diabetes

Diabetes can arise in individuals at any age. As with all patients, it is recommended that dentists review the patient's medical history, take vital signs, and evaluate for oral signs and symptoms of inadequately controlled diabetes, which may be common. Oral manifestations of uncontrolled diabetes can include xerostomia, burning sensation in the mouth, impaired/delayed wound healing, increased incidence and severity of infections, secondary infection with candidiasis; parotid salivary gland enlargement; gingivitis and/or periodontitis.

A dentist may ask a patient about their diabetes with questions like:

• How old were you when you were diagnosed with diabetes and what type of diabetes do you have?

• What medications do you take?