How Diabetes Affects Oral Health (and What to do About It)
When you think about your health, what comes to mind? Maybe you think about eating nutritious food, staying active, or visiting your doctor. But what you might be overlooking is your dentist. Our mouths can tell a story—not just about cavities, but also about serious conditions like diabetes.
A Widespread Condition with Hidden Clues
Nearly 1 in 10 Americans—more than 30 million—live with diabetes. Many are undiagnosed. Diabetes, when left untreated, can cause complications such as heart and kidney disease, vision loss, and nerve damage. It also has serious impacts on oral health, which in turn impacts overall health.
Children and Youth: Rising Rates and Hidden Risks
Diagnosed diabetes: An estimated 352,000 children and adolescents under age 20 in the U.S. live with diabetes (about 35 per 10,000 youth.) Around 304,000 have Type 1 and the rest have Type 2. Each year there are approximately 18,200 new cases of Type 1 and 5,300 of Type 2 diabetes among youth.
Rising future trends: Projections warn that if current trends continue, diagnosed cases of youth Type 2 diabetes could increase by 70–700% by 2060.
Prediabetes and at-risk youth: Around 18% of adolescents (ages 12–18) have prediabetes—nearly 1 in 5—placing them at much higher risk. One alarming JAMA Pediatrics study found that over 25% of teens had prediabetes in 2018, double the rate from 1999.
Many risk factors, such as being overweight, physical inactivity, puberty, family history, ethnicity, and gestational diabetes exposure, make youth especially vulnerable.
Why All This Matters for Oral Health
Youth (and adults) with high blood sugar, whether diagnosed diabetes or prediabetes, face serious oral health threats:
Increased risk of infection and gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis)
Dry mouth, which encourages cavities and thrush
Delayed healing post-dental procedures
Compromised blood glucose control due to oral inflammation
Untreated gum disease can also worsen blood sugar levels—a cycle impacting overall health and oral well-being.
How to Break the Cycle
Here are powerful steps that benefit both oral and metabolic health—for all ages:
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
Floss every day to remove plaque
Visit your dentist every six months (or more if you have diabetes/prediabetes)
Tell your dental team about any diabetes risk, diagnosis, or medications Maintain healthy blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medications
Screen children at-risk: testing should start by age 10 or at puberty if risk factors exist
Adopt preventive lifestyle changes early: 60 minutes of activity per day for youth Reduce sugary drinks, eat more whole foods, maintain healthy weight
A Healthy Smile Supports a Healthy Life
Good oral habits including brushing, flossing, dental checkups are essential for healthy teeth and for managing blood sugar. For children, building these habits early helps prevent complications down the road.
Key Stats at a Glance
Takeaway
Whether you're caring for a child or managing your own health, remember: oral health and diabetes risk go hand in hand. A healthy smile is part of a healthy body.
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