Many people with diabetes have impaired blood flow to their mouths. This can lead to poor quality of life, complications, and other health issues. This is a scary time for many people with diabetes, as it can mean everything from constant thirst for more serious health issues like heart and kidney disease. But if you have diabetes and your blood sugar is under control, improving your mouth health can lead to improved overall health.
Sensitivity to hot or cold beverages–Diabetes can cause blood flow problems and nerve damage that may cause pain with hot or cold drinks in the mouth and throat, for some people. The nerve damage is caused by lack of oxygen and nutrients from the blood flowing through your mouth and was once thought to be irreversible. But new research shows that the damage from diabetes can be reversed. This is important because while most people with diabetes have trouble drinking cold drinks due to mouth sores, this only affects a small percentage of people with diabetes. So, if you have diabetes and suffer from mouth sores, always drink your tea or coffee without sugar or milk so it will be cool, not hot. If you can drink a cold drink but still have problems with it, try drinking it a bit warmer.
Dry Mouth–Diabetes can cause damage to the mouth and throat from excessive amounts of alcohol, too many acidic foods and drinks, or from a poor diet. Many with diabetes have dry mouth because their bodies have lost the ability to produce saliva. When all this happens, your mouth becomes parched, your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth (dentist in Brampton), and other tissues in the mouth get dried out. Some people are just more prone to developing a dry mouth than others.
There are many ways to prevent or treat dry mouth caused by diabetes.
Chew sugarless gum- If you are not a fan of gum, try sucking on hard candy or some mints to stimulate saliva production and put moisture back into your mouth. Anything that is sweet and does not contain any sugar will help you replace the salivation your body is not creating on its own. If you are just finishing a meal, this is not the time to chew gum or eat something sugary. Your body is still processing the food you just ate and does not need an overload of sugar.
Allowing your mouth to breathe will also keep your mouth moisturized, so do not cover your mouth when you eat or talk.
If you are a smoker, stop. Mouth tissues are more susceptible to damage from smoking than other types of tissues, so quitting smoking is essential for mouth health.
Limit the amount of coffee and alcohol drinks you drink daily. Coffee and wine can be very acidic if they are not consumed in moderation. They are also very drying to the mouth. Busy lifestyles can cause your mouth to overwork, so try drinking a small amount of coffee and wine after a meal rather than in between meals.
Chewing sugarless gum can help with dry mouth by stimulating saliva production and soothing irritation to the tissues of the mouth.
Intervene with diabetics as soon as you notice any changes in their mouths, such as sores or ulcers. These problems are often easily treatable and preventable.
Do’s:
- Do check your blood sugar at least four times a day to keep on top of any changes in your blood glucose levels.
- Do drink cool, not cold, drinks for the best mouth health.
- Do eat foods with sugar in moderation.
- Do limit the amount of alcohol you drink daily.
- Do chew sugarless gum or suck sour candy to stimulate saliva and moisten the mouth.
- Do cut down or quit smoking if you smoke cigarettes or cigars.
Don’ts:
- Do not drink hot drinks that can cause pain or discomfort in your mouth.
- Do not eat to satisfy your taste buds, but rather to provide your body with the nutrients it needs.
- Do not smoke cigarettes or cigars.
- Do not drink alcohol in excess.
- Do not bite your tongue.
- Do not force open your mouth to eat because you have a sore mouth.
- Do not wear loose-fitting dentures.
If you have diabetes and you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, get medical attention immediately. If these symptoms are new, talk to your doctor about getting checked for gum disease or other oral problems that may be causing or contributing to the problem.
