Lazy to brush your teeth can cause diabetes, really?

Rarely brushing your teeth not only causes problems with your teeth and mouth, according to research this bad habit can also cause diabetes. How are these two things related? Check out the full discussion in the following review.
Lazy to brush teeth and its relation to diabetes
A study revealed that the habit of brushing your teeth three times a day can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. The study also revealed that someone who has dental disease or missing teeth has a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Even so, these studies do not know with certainty the relationship between brushing your teeth and the emergence of diabetes.
However, there is some possibility that poor dental hygiene may contribute to this disease. For example, poor oral hygiene may be associated with chronic inflammatory processes.
This condition can lead to gum disease, which creates spaces in the gums where bacteria can gather.
These bacteria can enter into the body’s circulation and triggering an immune system response; which in turn can interfere with blood sugar control.
Also Read: Can Diabetics Get Teeth Extracted?
In addition, gum disease is also associated with an increased risk of diabetes by 9%. Meanwhile, people who have lost 15 teeth or more have a higher risk of developing diabetes, which is 21%.
In addition, good oral health is also associated with a smaller risk of developing diabetes. Someone who diligently cleans their teeth three times a day has a lower risk of developing diabetes, which is 8%.
However, to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between diabetes and dental health still requires further research. Because many factors are involved in poor oral health, especially those related to diabetes.
Therefore, it is important for diabetics to have a dental check-up at least once every 6 months.
Also Read: Vitamin A Deficiency Cause Diabetes? These are the Facts
Tips for Preventing Dental and Oral Problems in Diabetics
The following are several ways to prevent diabetes caused by dental health, including:
- Visit the dentist regularly to monitor the health of the teeth and gums.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Do flossing teeth at least once a day.
- If your gums are swollen, red or bleed easily when you clean them, it’s best to see a dentist for proper treatment.
- Try to quit smoking. These activities can increase gum disease which can exacerbate diabetes
Although some people think that brushing their teeth is something trivial, brushing their teeth regularly can actually prevent gum disease, which in turn can reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
- Anonymous. 2022. Oral Health. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/diabetes-oral-health.html. (Accessed January 30, 2023).
- Gordon, Serena. 2022. Want to Help Keep Diabetes at Bay? Brush & Floss. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20200303/want-to-help-keep-diabetes-at-bay-brush-amp-floss. (Accessed January 30, 2023).
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