People with diabetes
Oral health issues linked with diabetes
- Gum disease.
- Slow healing after extractions or oral surgery.
- Oral infections including fungal infections such as thrush.
- Dry mouth and taste impairment.
Your oral health professional needs to know...
- if you have diabetes
- if you have trouble keeping your blood sugar levels under control
- if you notice changes in your mouth, such as patches of whitish-coloured skin
- if there have been other changes in your medical history
- the names of any medications (prescription as well as over-the-counter drugs) you are taking.
How you can improve your oral health
- QUIT smoking - smokers have higher levels of gum disease, caused by poor blood circulation in the tissues around their teeth. People with diabetes who smoke have an even greater chance of having severe gum problems than non-smokers and non-diabetics.
- Look for early signs of gum disease.
- Keep to your healthy eating plan and take prescribed medications as your doctor directs.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush. Take care to remove all plaque on and between your teeth, and next to the gum line.
- If you have dentures, remove them overnight and clean them daily.
- Visit your dentist or other oral health professional regularly.
- Book your appointments for the morning when your insulin level is more stable.
- Try to control your blood sugar level. Those with high blood sugar levels are more likely to have more severe gum problems. If you have good control of your blood sugar level and good oral care, you should have minimal problems with your oral health.
Diabetes and Oral Health brochure
The Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (NSW) developed this evidence based oral health promotion resource to assist Diabetes Care Providers to provide oral health education to their patients. The resource contains key information including signs and symptoms of gums disease, preventive oral hygiene practices, healthy dietary choices, reminders to discuss oral health with health care providers and dental referral pathway options including access to free public dental services (if eligible). It was first developed in 2022 and endorsed by NSW Ministry of Health, Diabetes Australia, Australian Dental Association (NSW) and consumers The resource was subsequently adapted for VIC in 2024 by DHSV in collaboration with Monash Health after undertaking further consultation with clinicians, policy makers and consumers (people with Diabetes).
Download the Diabetes and Oral Health brochure
