Mouth Problems Could Signal Diabetes

One in three people with diabetes don’t even know they have it.¹ But untreated, high blood sugar can threaten your heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys.² High blood sugar also affects your mouth.^1,2

Three oral symptoms could be the first signs that you need to be screened for diabetes:

• Bad breath.Diabetes is one of several diseases that can cause bad breath.⁴A person with diabetes also may develop fruit-smelling breath. This means the body is struggling to throw off excess chemicals, which could be very dangerous.³

• Dry mouth.People with undiagnosed diabetes may feel especially thirsty. Dry mouth also can causebad breath⁴  and tooth decay.¹

• Sore gums or teeth.Sore, swollen, or bleeding gums could signal the start of gum disease.²Gum disease happens more often in people with diabetes.¹The gums and the bone that holds teeth in place can become infected.²If gum disease worsens, the gums could pull away from the teeth.²Teeth might look longer or feel sensitive.²

If you’re having oral problems, put your money where your mouth is. Make an appointment with your dentist or doctor, and ask whether you could have diabetes.

¹  “How Does Diabetes Affect Oral Health?”Academy of General Dentistry, January 2007. www.agd.org/support/articles/?ArtID=1231 Accessed 2010.

²  “Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy.” National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, April 2008. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_teeth/index.htm Accessed 2010.

³   “Breath Odor.” Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, April 24, 2008. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003058.htm Accessed 2010.

⁴ “Bad Breath: Halitosis.” American Dental Association.www.ada.org/2941.aspx?currentTab=1 Accessed 2010.