Published on: October 16, 2024
When living with diabetes, maintaining good oral hygiene is more than just about keeping your teeth clean—it’s also about managing your blood sugar. Diabetes raises the risk of oral problems like gum disease, dry mouth, and infections, making it harder to control blood sugar. This creates a vicious cycle because poor oral health can lead to inflammation, which makes managing diabetes even more difficult.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to break this cycle and improve your blood sugar control through proper oral care and tools. These tips will help you better manage your diabetes and overall health, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Why is Oral Hygiene Important to Better Manage Your Diabetes?
The link between diabetes and oral health is blood sugar. If you have diabetes, infections like gum disease can cause inflammation, making it harder to control your blood sugar. This leads to a vicious cycle [1]:
- high blood sugar increases your risk of gum disease [2]: Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist at Altus Dental, notes that people with uncontrolled diabetes are up to three times more likely to develop gum disease [1].
“ Diabetes leads to more sugar in saliva, which bacteria feed on, and also leads to dry mouth. A dry mouth creates a haven for bacteria since saliva isn’t washing away food debris or bacteria.”
- When gum disease is untreated, it causes inflammation that affects your body’s ability to use insulin properly [3]. This makes it harder to control your blood sugar, leading to higher levels. Poor oral health can also cause tooth loss, bad breath, and infections, complicating diabetes management and your overall health [4].
Dr. Jessica Tasios adds that oral bacteria can contribute to serious conditions like heart disease and stroke, which are more common in diabetes.
NIDCR Director Dr. Rena D’Souza summarizes well this two-way relationship: “High blood glucose slows the healing and treatment of gum disease. In turn, gum disease may make it harder to manage your blood glucose.”
That’s why taking care of your oral health helps you break this cycle and better manage your diabetes.
According to Dr. Avi Israeli, DDS, a highly regarded implantologist in the US with more than 18 years of experience in advanced dental care, this is particularly relevant if you’re due for dental surgery or implants:
“ Oral health is especially critical for individuals managing diabetes, as uncontrolled blood sugar levels (high A1C) can significantly affect dental treatment outcomes, including the success of procedures like implants and healing after surgery.
For instance, patients with an A1C level above 8.0 face a higher risk of complications, such as delayed healing, poor blood flow, and even necrosis, which can severely impact the success of dental treatments. This is why we stress to our diabetic patients that their A1C must be well-managed (below 8.0) before undergoing any dental surgery, including implants.”
What is the Impact of Tonsil Stones on Oral Health in Diabetes?
Tonsil stones form when food and bacteria get trapped in your tonsils, causing bad breath and infections. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop them because dry mouth increases bacteria buildup.
Wondering if you have tonsil stones? Learn more in this blog on how to know if you have tonsil stones.
Dr. Peter Brukner, a registered nutritionist and dietitian in Australia, Founding Partner and Chairperson of SugarByHalf and the app-based program Defeat Diabetes, shared that removing tonsil stones reduces bacteria and improves oral health.
The Oravix Tonsil Stone Vacuum Tool can help you safely get rid of tonsil stones to keep your mouth clean.

How to Reduce Oral Infections to Better Control Blood Sugar Levels?
Dr. Khan highlights that oral infections can slow healing in people with diabetes due to reduced nitric oxide, which affects blood flow.
Catching oral infections early can help you avoid further complications and better manage your diabetes.
Early signs of oral infections to watch for include:
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Mouth pain or discomfort
- Loose teeth
- Sores or ulcers that don’t heal
- Dry mouth
- Pus around the gums or teeth
If you notice these symptoms, you should consult your dentist right away.
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine can help you prevent infections and better manage your blood sugar.
Tips and Simple Tools for a Better Oral Health When Dealing with Diabetes
Build a Daily Routine
In the US, the CDC recommends regular brushing, flossing, and checkups to reduce the risk of oral health problems in diabetes and make diabetes easier to control [5].
To manage both oral health and diabetes, here’s an example of a daily routine:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day to remove plaque between teeth.
- Use a tongue scraper as a simple method to remove bacteria. According to Dr. Tasios, this step should be done at least twice a week.
- If you feel some discomfort or have bad breath, look to see if there are tonsil stones. You might need to use a tool like the Oravix Tonsil Stone Vacuum Tool to remove tonsil stones.
Expert Tips: Dr. Khan and Dr. Tasios both recommend using an electric toothbrush and water flosser for better plaque removal and preventing gum disease.
“ I would also advise using a water flosser in conjunction to flossing. Flossing breaks down the bacteria colonies from teeth and gums. You need traditional floss daily to remove food particles and plaque. The water flossers can penetrate deeper in your gums and simply rinse these areas and remove soft bacteria before it hardens into tartar.”
Tongue Scrapers: A Simple Tool for Better Oral Health

Bacteria can build up on your tongue, causing bad breath and even infections. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as you may be more likely to develop oral infections due to higher sugar levels in your saliva.
Using a tongue scraper daily can help remove bacteria and improve oral hygiene.
Dental experts like Dr. Peter Brukner and Dr. Fatima Khan emphasize that tongue scraping supports good bacteria and helps healing in diabetes.
For easy tips on how to properly use a tongue scraper, check out our step-by-step guide. It explains the best technique to avoid gag reflex, how often to use it and the benefits of regular tongue cleaning to keep your mouth fresh and healthy.
A Real-Life Story: How Comprehensive Therapies, Including Enhanced Oral Care, Transformed Diabetes Management for One Patient
” One patient of mine, who was struggling with postural issues and Type 2 diabetes, had frequent gum infections that were making it harder for him to control his blood sugar levels. After addressing his postural and musculoskeletal concerns, we worked with his healthcare team to include better oral hygiene practices into his daily routine, including regular use of a tongue scraper and more frequent dental check-ups.
This, combined with our physio-led exercises, helped improve his overall health. By reducing his oral infections, he found it easier to stabilize his blood sugar, which also improved his mobility and energy levels. The key takeaway is that small, preventative actions like proper oral care can make a meaningful difference in managing chronic conditions like diabetes. “
Final Thoughts on Managing Oral Health and Diabetes
By maintaining a consistent routine that includes brushing, flossing, tongue scraping and tonsil stone removal, you can help reduce infections and improve your overall health. Regular dental checkups are also essential for spotting issues early and preventing more serious problems.
Adopting this daily care routine and visiting your dentist regularly can help you manage your diabetes.
FAQs: Diabetes and Oral Health
How does gestational diabetes affect oral health during pregnancy?
Dr. Kartik Antani, dentist at NAPA Family Dental, explains that gestational diabetes can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, making existing oral health problems worse. Pregnant women should visit the dentist every six months since dental cleanings and exams are safe throughout pregnancy, with some precautions.
In the first trimester, cleanings can be done without x-rays, while the second trimester allows for all necessary treatments, including x-rays. During the third trimester, routine care should be limited in the last half. It’s best to have a dental exam before pregnancy if possible, and if not, the second trimester is a good time for dental work. Emergency dental issues should be addressed quickly, and gentle cleanings can help prevent gum disease at any stage.
Can poor oral hygiene make my diabetes worse?
Yes, poor oral hygiene can make your diabetes worse. Oral infections, like gum disease, can increase inflammation in the body, making it harder to control blood sugar. This creates a cycle where high blood sugar worsens oral health, and untreated oral issues make managing diabetes more difficult. Regular brushing, flossing, tongue scraping and dental checkups are key to preventing this.
What is the link between diabetes and gum disease?
The link between diabetes and gum disease is a two-way connection. High blood sugar levels increase the risk of gum disease by promoting bacterial growth and slowing healing in the gums. In turn, gum disease causes inflammation, which can make it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels. This creates a cycle where each condition worsens the other, making proper oral care essential for managing diabetes. Regular dental visits and good oral hygiene can help break this cycle.
How can tonsil stones affect diabetes?
Tonsil stones can lead to infections, which are more common in people with diabetes due to higher bacteria levels. These infections can make it harder to manage blood sugar. Removing tonsil stones and maintaining good oral hygiene helps prevent this.
Why is tongue scraping important for people with diabetes?
Tongue scraping is important for people with diabetes because it helps reduce bacteria on the tongue, lowering the risk of infections. This supports better oral health and helps with blood sugar control.
References
- Borgnakke W. S. (2019). IDF Diabetes Atlas: Diabetes and oral health – A two-way relationship of clinical importance. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 157, 107839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2019.107839
- González-Moles, M. Á., & Ramos-García, P. (2021). State of Evidence on Oral Health Problems in Diabetic Patients: A Critical Review of the Literature. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(22), 5383. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10225383
- Polak, D., Sanui, T., Nishimura, F., & Shapira, L. (2020). Diabetes as a risk factor for periodontal disease-plausible mechanisms. Periodontology 2000, 83(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12298
- Borgnakke, W. S., Genco, R. J., Eke, P. I., & Taylor, G. W. (2018). Oral Health and Diabetes. In C. C. Cowie (Eds.) et. al., Diabetes in America. (3rd ed.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US).
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024, May 15). Oral Health and Diabetes. Cdc.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-oral-health.html
This article offers general oral health info and isn’t a substitute for professional advice. Always consult your dentist or healthcare provider with any medical questions.

I’m a biomedical engineer turned content writer with over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry and a Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences. I’m passionate about transforming complex scientific research into accessible content to help readers make informed decisions about their health.