You may have a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease when you live with diabetes. Your dentist and oral care team may also recognize diabetes symptoms based on your teeth and gum health.

People with diabetes face a higher risk for dental health issues and gum disease.

This is often a direct result of higher blood sugars related to diabetes, whether that’s a long-term complication of diabetes that you’ve lived with for many years or a potential signal that you’ve developed prediabetes or diabetes.

People with diabetes are more likely to experience cavities and tooth decay, mouth ulcers, gum disease, dry mouth, bad breath, or the fungal infection of oral thrush.

However, you can help improve your dental health by maintaining dental hygiene habits — including daily brushing and flossing — and keeping blood sugars in the target range.

Some people with diabetes are at greater risk for dental and oral health problems than those without the condition.

Blood sugar levels and your A1C average are tied to overall health and potential complications.

Also, if you smoke and have diabetes, you’re at a greater risk for oral health concerns than someone who has diabetes and doesn’t smoke.

Certain diabetes medications, including those used to treat diabetes-related nerve damage (neuropathy), can also cause dry mouth.

Your healthcare team can help you understand how diabetes management relates to dental health, including how certain diabetes medications can affect oral health.

People with diabetes are more likely to experience cavities and tooth decay than those without diabetes.

This 2022 research found that people with diabetes are 40% more likely to develop cavities, both related to diabetes management but also due to medical and dental visit habits and the total cost of healthcare.

Research also shows that older adults with diabetes — 50 years and older — may also experience more tooth loss.

Diabetes is linked to higher rates of gum disease, including gingivitis.

This can cause mouth swelling, bleeding gums, and possible abscesses that may lead to other dental problems and bone loss over time.

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may be more exposed to this risk than others, given how it may develop from higher blood sugars over time.

Treating gum disease can also help improve blood sugar management, especially as gingivitis can be a long-standing oral health concern that causes your body to fight that gum disease.

Learn more about how diabetes affects your gums and what you can do to treat or prevent these dental health issues.

People with diabetes may also experience other oral health issues beyond tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

These may include:

  • bad breath
  • oral thrush
  • dry mouth
  • taste bud changes
  • mouth healing
  • dental bone loss

Generally, the type of diabetes alone doesn’t necessarily define what potential dental complications you may or may not experience.

Complications, in general, are linked to higher blood sugars and A1C levels over time, meaning that the longer you live with diabetes, the more likely you are to experience potential complications — including those affecting your teeth, mouth, and gums.

This 2023 research found that people with T1D often have a higher risk for periodontal disease than those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and people without diabetes.

Researchers concluded that it’s tied to glucose fluctuations, which can be more dramatic for those with T1D and on insulin than others who may not use insulin to manage their condition.

For that reason, dental professionals may ask about diabetes management if their exams show possible effects of higher blood sugars. Discussing this with your diabetes care team can be helpful.

Dentists are also on the frontlines of helping people first learn about undiagnosed prediabetes or T2D.

A dentist or dental health professional may ask if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes based on what they observe in their dental examinations.

Learn the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms that could indicate that you’re experiencing gum disease or another oral health issue tied to diabetes:

  • bleeding gums, particularly when you brush or floss
  • changes in the way your teeth seem to fit together (malocclusion)
  • chronic bad breath, even after brushing
  • gums that appear to pull away from the teeth, which may cause your teeth to look longer or larger in appearance
  • permanent teeth that begin to feel loose
  • red or swollen gums

The best way to prevent diabetes-related complications in your dental health is through blood sugar management.

Your diabetes care team can help you understand how blood sugars and A1C levels relate to your dental health and what targets may work best for you to help prevent possible dental complications.

Dental health tips for people with diabetes

The American Diabetes Association, along with other dental experts, recommend these tips to help prevent oral health issues related to diabetes:

  • Check your blood sugar regularly: This is key to managing diabetes and preventing future complications, including those affecting your teeth and gums. Notify your diabetes care team about your management or blood sugar levels.
  • Follow your doctor’s prescription guidelines: Make sure to take any diabetes medications, including insulin, as prescribed. This can help keep blood sugars and A1C levels in range to prevent future complications, including dental health issues.
  • Brush twice a day: Basic dental hygiene can help prevent tartar and bacteria development, which can become problematic more quickly for people with diabetes.
  • Floss your teeth regularly: Diabetes and dental experts recommend flossing at least once daily to remove excess food that may be stuck in teeth or gums. If this is left, it can develop into bacteria that damage oral health.
  • Consider a water flosser: You may try a water flosser device to help clean in between teeth and gums, where brushing and flossing are more difficult. (See these options on Optum Now).
  • Stop smoking if you do. Smoking can increase your risk for dental and oral health issues in general, but especially for people with diabetes who already face a higher risk for complications.
  • Visit your diabetes and dental care teams regularly: This may include dental appointments twice a year for cleanings or more regularly if you experience other tooth or dental issues, including gum disease.
  • Do your own self-checks: Make sure you check your mouth regularly for abnormalities. This can include checking for bleeding gums, looking for dry areas, chipped teeth or gaps in your teeth or gums, or white patches in your mouth.

Treatments for oral health conditions related to diabetes depend on the condition and its severity.

For example, periodontal disease can be treated with scaling and root planning, a deep cleaning method that removes tartar from above and below the gum line.

Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotic treatments before or after a dental procedure. One common prescription is amoxicillin, which dentists often use to help address inflammation and prevent potential infections related to dental procedures.

People with diabetes face a higher risk for dental and oral health issues, ranging from bad breath, cavities, and tooth decay to gum disease and more serious complications.

With careful attention to your diabetes management and dental health, you can maintain healthy teeth and gums. Visit your dentist regularly and disclose your diabetes, symptoms you may be experiencing, and medications you’re taking. This information can help your dentist provide the best treatments.