For the millions of people living with diabetes, managing glucose levels is often the top priority but one crucial piece of the health puzzle is frequently overlooked: the mouth. Oral health and diabetes is a two-way relationship where each condition can worsen the other. Understanding the necessary care, risk factors, and preventative measures can help protect overall health and reduce the risk of complications.

People with diabetes need to eat carbohydrates and glucose in order to raise levels during a low blood sugar. And the foods needed to raise blood sugar often increase acidity levels in the mouth. Lows can happen at any time and drinking juice in the middle of the night, without brushing your teeth after, increases the risk of cavities.

High blood sugar causes dehydration, which in turn reduces saliva production. Saliva helps protect the mouth from dryness, bacteria build up, and decay. Persistent high blood sugar levels can lead to increased leakage of glucose from the ductal cells of the salivary gland, thereby increasing the glucose content in saliva. Higher glucose levels in the mouth causes higher bacteria levels. With less saliva to remove plaque, the bacteria will feed off of it.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of your gums and bones. Our bodies respond to an infection by launching an inflammatory response. Widespread inflammation can cause insulin resistance, therefore raising blood sugar levels. Gum disease, tooth decay, and dry mouth are significantly more common in people with diabetes, and poor oral health can in turn make blood sugar harder to control.

A lot goes into prevention including your healthcare team, diabetes management and dental hygiene. Working with a dentist that understands diabetes is crucial. They can help give instruction on soft, noninvasive toothbrushes and techniques to help reduce irritation. They can also recognize the early warning signs of gum inflammation and help develop a treatment plan. Managing glucose levels is always key to diabetes risk management. Aiming for a time in range, between 70mg/dL and 180 mg/dL, at least 70 percent of the day, will lower the risk for gum disease and other oral complications.

For a deep dive on the biological impact diabetes has on oral health, and dental hygiene habits you can implement to help prevent cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay, check out our video above. Complications are scary, but there are tools, techniques, and technology at our disposal to help maintain overall health. The smart electric toothbrush from our sponsor Soocas helps make healthy dental habits more effective and consistent. Check them out!

Disclaimer: Diabetech content is not medical advice—it’s for educational purposes only. Always consult with a physician before making changes to your healthcare.