Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Q&A » My wife is diabetic and she needs to go in for some oral surgery. I have been told that dental surgery is dangerous for a diabetic. Is this true? What can we do to make the surgery as safe as possible and why is she having so many problems with her teeth and gums at this time. This is a woman who used to have a healthy set of teeth and gums all her life.

My wife is diabetic and she needs to go in for some oral surgery. I have been told that dental surgery is dangerous for a diabetic. Is this true? What can we do to make the surgery as safe as possible and why is she having so many problems with her teeth and gums at this time. This is a woman who used to have a healthy set of teeth and gums all her life.

Uncontrolled blood sugars levels wreck havoc on the body’s natural biological functions. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels will cause very serious conditions such as kidney failure and heart attack, and it will also interfere with blood flow by having damaged blood vessels (diabetic neuropathy), create eye problems and yes it will affect oral health. Too much sugar in the blood can cause damage to the teeth and gums.

Prevalence of oral disease in the general and diabetic populations

More than 50 percent of the American population has at least the early stages of gum disease. Some studies point to as much as 80 percent of adults having gum disease at one time or other within their lifetime. Gum disease can actually begin in childhood when children have diabetes or it can happen at any time in a person’s lifetime. It therefore is so important to watch the diabetic population very closely for sign of oral disease. Diabetics of all ages are at risk for oral cavity problems, because of their high sugar levels.

Types of Oral Problems

Diabetics are more likely to have tooth decay, periodontal disease (gum disease), infections, and salivary glands problems as stated by the Pennsylvania Dental Association.

How to make surgery safer for diabetes

When your wife visits her dentist she will need to let him or her know about her diabetes and her latest blood sugar reading so he or she will know first and foremost that she is diabetic and if her diabetes is under control before doing any work on her mouth.

What many people do not know is that a diabetic is at a greater risk for complications, during oral surgery, even from the use of lidocaine for a local anesthetic, or a simple tooth cleaning. If she takes insulin it is very important that she tell her dentist how much of a dosage she is taking and when was the last time she took her insulin treatment.

Diabetics have more sugar in the saliva in the mouth cavity and this situation creates more bacteria in the mouth. When there are more bacteria in the mouth, it presents a breeding ground of germs and these germs can and will attack the teeth creating tooth decay. These oral bacteria will also cause periodontal disease, because the immune system of the diabetic is compromised as it is. The high blood glucose levels in blood system will also affect the body’s ability to ward off infection.

How to detect possible gum disease

Brushing and flossing is necessary for good oral health and is extremely important for diabetics. There has been some suggestion that dentists can spot diabetes just from plaque and tartar found in the oral cavity. Diabetic patients tend to have more plaque than other people and if this plaque is not completely removed, over time it turns into tartar. In turn the tartar can lead to chronic infections in the mouth area.

Since having diabetes is a concern for teeth and gums she needs to check her teeth constantly and inform her dentist if she sees any redness in the gum area, tender or swollen gums, bleeding gums, or gums that seem to be receding from her teeth. Also she would want to take notice of a bad taste lingering in her mouth or chronic bad breath (halitosis). Look for teeth that are loose or separating as this too can be a sign of disease. Pus is also a warning that that there is a problem that needs to be looked after immediately. Pus can occur either between the teeth or in the gums, and if she presses on the gums and pus comes out she need to see a dentist immediately. Even a relatively simple thing as having teeth out of alignment may be a sign of early oral complications, If she sees any changes in her teeth or gums she should not wait she will need to make an appointment immediately. When her dentist knows of diabetic condition he or she will be the best judge to decide if oral surgery is safe or if there is an alternative way of dealing with her dental issues.

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