Are people with diabetes at greater risk for dental caries?
There are two schools of thought on this topic. One school believes that high glucose levels in the saliva of people with uncontrolled diabetes helps bacteria thrive, which leads to the development of caries as well as sets the stage for gum disease. Also, the fact that people with diabetes tend to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day might mean there is a greater chance for bacteria to grow and lead to the development of cavities. The other school of thought is that because people with diabetes are more knowledgeable about what they eat and the need to closely monitor their sugar intake, they don’t eat many foods that contain cavity-causing sugar. The fact is that people whose diabetes is well-controlled have no more tooth decay or periodontal disease than people without diabetes. Good oral hygiene and maintenance of blood sugar within the accepted range are the best protections against cavity formation and periodontal disease. I’ve heard that people with diabetes can e
