Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, from your vision to your kidneys to your heart. One often overlooked aspect of the disease is the impact that it can have on your oral health. People with diabetes are at higher risk of tooth and gum problems, and heightened blood glucose levels increase the risks of these complications. So, how does diabetes affect oral health, and what does that mean for you if you’re seeking All-on-4® treatment?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps guide the glucose in your bloodstream to its final destination. Diabetes has both sudden and long-term complications due to heightened blood sugar levels, and your oral and overall health are strongly connected.
Diabetes is common, affecting an estimated one in 20 Australians. Missing teeth are also common in Australia, and the risk of both increases as you age. All-on-4® is an advanced method of dental restoration specifically designed for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. Similar to traditional dental implants, it has the unique benefit of supporting an entire bridge or “arch” of teeth on four implants: two at the front and two at the back in the upper or lower jawbone.
As Australia’s leading provider of All-on-4® implants, Next Smile Australia can help you determine whether the treatment is right for you, regardless of whether or not you’ve been living with diabetes.
The Effect Diabetes Can Have on Oral Health
Diabetes can lead to a range of oral health problems. These problems become increasingly severe when a diabetic person has poor control of their blood glucose levels, which lowers their resistance to infection and slows down their healing.
The most commonly recognised oral health complication related to diabetes isperiodontitis. This chronic disease causes irreversible recession of the gums and bones surrounding the affected teeth, which can cause pain, loose teeth, and tooth loss. There’s also a reciprocal effect between periodontitis and diabetes, as periodontitis can negatively impact blood glucose levels.
How else does diabetes affect oral health? The other issues it can cause include:
Tooth decay
Periodontitis causes the gum around the affected teeth to recede, exposing the roots, which aren’t as strong as the enamel that covers the crown. People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from tooth decay and cavities, along with other oral health issues.
Oral thrush
This oral fungal infection causes creamy white patches to appear in the mouth, on the tongue or inside the cheeks. High blood glucose levels and decreased saliva production both increase the risk of oral thrush in people with diabetes.
Delayed wound healing
People with diabetes often have compromised immune systems and slower-than-usual healing periods, leading to delayed healing of sores in the mouth.
Xerostomia
Diabetes can cause a decrease in saliva production, leading to a condition called xerostomia, the state of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. Xerostomia can make everyday oral functions like talking and swallowing more difficult. As saliva helps keep harmful germs at bay, the lack of it can cause an increase in oral infections.
Diabetes can also cause other oral health symptoms, including bad breath, sensitive teeth, bleeding from gums, and gaps between teeth that can lead to food getting stuck.
Are Diabetics Still Suitable For All-on-4®?
Pioneered by Dr Paulo Malo in 1998, All-on-4® is intended for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth rather than just one or two. It provides patients with a new, natural-looking set of teeth in just 24 hours. But can you get All-on-4® with diabetes?
Here’s some good news for people with diabetes. Not only is All-on-4® a safe and effective treatment option for you, but it also has some unique benefits for diabetic patients. With fewer dental implants in the mouth, there are fewer wounds to heal and less chance of infection setting in. While traditional dental implants often require dental bone grafting to treat diabetic patients successfully, All-on-4® dental implants are strategically placed in the strongest areas of the jawbone. All-on-4® also has a shorter recovery period, which is helpful if your diabetes delays healing.
Caring For Your Oral Health With or Without All-on-4® Teeth as a Diabetic
Whether you have All-on-4® dental implants or not, here are some ways you can protect your oral health for the long term:
Brush twice a day
All-on-4® teeth can be cleaned the same way as regular teeth: using a toothbrush and toothpaste. Once a day, clean between your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes. If you have All-on-4®, you will still need to floss to clean between your gums and the bridge of teeth. This can be done with interdental brushes or a waterpik to dislodge any food particles that may have become trapped.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet helps keep your blood glucose levels within acceptable range, reducing the risk of complications and oral health problems. While there’s no “diabetic diet”, there are several healthy choices you can make to help keep your diabetes under control. Choose more whole foods and less processed and packaged ones, reduce the GL of your meals and lower your intake of saturated fats.
Follow your doctor’s advice
Make an appointment with your doctor to learn how to manage your blood glucose levels, follow their advice on diet and lifestyle, and take their prescribed medications.
Book a regular check-up and clean
Visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning at least every six months. Even if you have All-on-4® dental implants, it’s vital to schedule regular check-ups with your provider to ensure your new teeth are functioning properly and prevent any potential issues.
Quit smoking
Diabetic people who smoke cigarettes have an increased risk of a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease. Smoking is also a leading cause of oral health problems, including gum disease and mouth cancer.
Drink plenty of water
Water keeps your mouth clean, strengthens your teeth with phosphate and calcium, aids in saliva production, and fights dry mouth.
Find Out If You’re Suitable for All-on-4® at Next Smile Australia
If you have diabetes and are missing all or most of your teeth, All-on-4® is likely the treatment for you. Your first step is to book a personal consultation with a Next Smile Australia team member to find out whether you’re suitable for All-on-4®. Candidates can include people who’ve lost multiple teeth due to injury or tooth decay, people with advanced-stage gum disease and people who can’t have their teeth restored by other means.
No matter the state of your dental health, Next Smile Australia will guide you through your All-on-4® journey with an empathetic approach as we custom-create a new set of authentic-looking teeth for you. Our industry-leading Super Clinics are designed to provide your All-on-4® treatment in the most comfortable and hygienic conditions. Features of most of our internationally recognised Super Clinics include state-of-the-art surgical rooms and onsite dental laboratories where our technicians custom-build your All-on-4® dental implants from the highest-quality materials.
If you’d like to find out more about the All-on-4® treatment or arrange a personal consultation, contact the Next Smile Australia team.