Keep Your Mouth Healthy by Recognizing the Signs of Diabetes

November 14, 2016

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and we want to do our part to keep our patients informed and healthy. Many of our patients deal with diabetes in Naperville, IL, and some are unaware that diabetes can affect the health of your mouth. Those with diabetes can be more likely to develop gum disease because of higher blood glucose levels in saliva, and gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar. Early detection of diabetes is vital to your health, so watch for the following signs that may signify you or a loved one has diabetes.

Fatigue and Hunger

In a healthy body, insulin is used to convert food to glucose to provide energy. If the body does not produce enough insulin or your cells are resistant to the insulin your body produces, you may be more tired than usual. You will also be hungry as your body is trying to find ways to produce energy.

Thirst and Urination

On average, a person urinates 4-7 times during a 24 hour period, but those with diabetes go more often. This is because the blood sugar is too high, and the body cannot reabsorb it as it passes through the kidneys. The body may then try to get rid of it by making more urine. Because so much urine is leaving the body, you may also be thirsty all the time.

Itchy Skin or Dry Mouth

As the body uses all the moisture to make urine, you may get dehydrated or your skin may seem dry. You may also have a dry mouth because moisture is not available for normal things.

Blurred Vision

Lenses in the eyes may swell up as the fluid levels in the body change. This causes them to lose their ability to focus and change shape, causing blurred vision.

We Can Help

If you are concerned about diabetes and its effect on the rest of your body, Dr. Zymantas can help by creating a treatment plan that keeps your mouth safe from gum disease. We believe it is important for every single patient to know the warning signs of both gum disease and diabetes. Contact us if you have questions or want to schedule an appointment.

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