Poor Dental Conditions Can Worsen Existing Chronic Diseases, Says Top Dentist Lt. Gen Vimal Arora (Retd.)

Gum diseases can worsen diabetes and heart problems and make it harder to manage, according to India’s top dentist, Lt. Gen. Vimal Arora (Retd.). Speaking exclusively to Times Now, Dr. Arora, the chief clinical officer of Clove Dental, stated a deep impact on chronic diseases like diabetes if there is an infection in your mouth.

“If you have a preexisting systemic disease, your poor dental condition can worsen. If you are suffering from diabetes and if you get a gum infection, your diabetes will not be well controlled. This is a proven fact. Rather, it will worsen. Similarly, if you have very poor gum condition or if you have an infection in your mouth, it can be worsening your cardiac problem,” he said.

According to Dr. Arora, the extent of seriousness of neglecting oral health can also mean complications in pregnancy leading to a low-birth-weight baby born before 37 weeks of gestation. Premature birth leads to various complications, which include breathing difficulties, low body temperature, issues with the nervous system, digestive problems, and even sudden death.

“If you have gingivitis, which means very poor gum health, and if you are pregnant, you may have a low birth weight baby or you may have a preterm baby. It is that serious,” he added.

According to Dr. Arora, the link between diabetes and oral health issues happens due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. If blood sugar is not well managed, oral health problems are likely to develop, as diabetes can weaken white blood cells—your body’s main defence against bacterial infections that can occur in the mouth.

Just as studies have shown that regulating blood sugar levels lowers the risk of major organ complications of diabetes — such as eye, heart, and nerve damage — so can diabetes protect against the development of oral health problems. Those with diabetes face a higher risk of issues like:

Unmanaged diabetes lowers the flow of saliva in your mouth, resulting in a dry mouth—that further causes soreness, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay. “If you have a dry mouth, that means you are definitely going to have more and more decay. The saliva protects us against decay, infection, and gum disease,” said Dr. Arora.

Apart from weakening white blood cells, diabetes and heart issues can cause blood vessels to thicken, slowing the flow of nutrients and waste products from body tissues, including the mouth. Your body thereby loses its ability to fight infections.

Those with diabetes and heart problems frequently take medicines to fight infections and so, are prone to developing a fungal infection of the mouth and tongue. The fungus thrives on the high glucose levels in the saliva of people with unmanaged diabetes. Wearing dentures can also lead to fungal infections.

Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes breathing interruptions during sleep - significantly impacting your oral health and leading to issues like dry mouth, teeth grinding, and increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

According to Dr. Arora, dentists can reposition the jaw to open the air passage to reduce the condition. “Many people are using machines for sleeping. But if we can handle the jaw by just inserting an appliance, it can make the sleep apnea problem go away.”

Sleep apnea affects millions across the world and is characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep cycles. They are caused by tissue collapses of the airway related to weak airway muscles, a large tongue, being overweight, or other risk factors. Apnea prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.