36 Comments
Which of the following oral health issues have you experienced (diagnosed by a healthcare provider) since having T1D? Please select all that apply.
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I don’t remember the exact circumstances that led to it, but in 2014, I had a root canal. That’s probably the worst dental issue I’ve had since my T1D diagnosis in 2008.
Trigger finger, frozen shoulder
Only oral problems I’ve had are a multitude of cavities
I experienced receding gums and had to have a gum graft. It was one of the most barbaric medical expenses of my life.
I think I’m going to need this. Is it truly horrible? I think I’d rather have the teeth pulled.
two root canals after 30 yrs with T1D, but have always
had cavities in my non- diabetic child life (no Floride in water then) After 38 yrs, osteoporosis which may contribute to having to have a couple teeth pulled which already had crowns for years.
Not to sure if these issues were brought on due to my T1D. In the last 40 years 2 root canals, receding gums (brushing to hard or not using a soft bristle tooth brush), arthritis and recently misdiagnosed strept throat which was actually oral thrush (what a pain).
Oral lichen planus – who ever heard of that?
I have had 2 root canals. One of which did not take and the molar needed to be pulled out. I have had a gum graft to correct receding gums from brushing to hard.
I was diagnosed with oral lichen planus. Don’t know if it’s related to the diabetes or not but it’s an autoimmune disease. Anyone else out there have this condition too?
Mary Thrall, in a comment below, stated the same problem.
I have had good luck except for receding gums.
Inflamed gums
My dentist never said I had a dry mouth, but he always reminded me to drink water.
Maybe receding gums is all?
Of the issues listed: Oral thrush and Gingivitis. Over the years I’ve had 4 root canals and am now ‘recovering’ from recent periodontal deep cleaning to evaluate what can be saved.
Just dry mouth. For about a year. But it went away. Who knows why…………..!
Gingival recession (from grinding) which required a graft.
Hi HMW –
I didn’t know gingival recession could be caused by grinding. This is definitely something for me to keep in mind!
Oh! I forgot to say, my teeth have also shifted a lot because of the grinding.
I wish I hadn’t _just_ seen my dentist so that I could ask him about this!!
@KarenM6 – it is not the only cause, of course, but my dentist immediately (when I first started seeing him) made me a mouth guard to wear at night and it has reduced my gingival recession progression significantly.
Thank you, HMW!
I have been diagnosed twice for receding gums.
Oral Lichen Planus
Recession
Bruxism – in which I broke teeth and caused 4 or so crowns. Just had the grinding tested and the dentist said it was one of the worst she’d seen.
I also did some laser therapy in my mouth for sleep apnea – the resulting tightening of the tissues should help open my airways.
Thrush a couple of times. Also pockets requiring occasional deep cleaning.
Dry mouth and gum recession due to dry mouth
Once the dental issues started occuring, in the couple years after my T1D diagnosis, my ophthalmologist noted extremely dry eyes ..turned out I also have UCTD (undifferentiated connective tissue disease) leaning toward Sjogrens Syndrome. I now get 3 cleanings per year, plus floss/waterfloss 3X/day, brush 2X/day, rinse with biotene 4X/day, and chug water. I finally celebrated 1 full year of no gum or decay issues! (Dx T 1D 6 years ago, UCTD/SS 3 years ago)
Interesting on the diagnosis – because I have no GP – I’m a lone ranger – but have the dry eyes – gum problems, etc. I was told my dry eyes has to do with ocular rosacea (which I have on my face – the joys of being from the British Isles / Danish background ). I’ll have to look into the UTCD condition you were diagnosed with. Doing my own research on health (thank goodness for the internet – has helped me self diagnose myself – and even helped GP’s learn about a new health condition they never heard of – and then referred me to a specialist).
Anna, I have Rosacea, combo of types 1 and 2, since my teens (but I’m Portuguese). They now know it’s autoimmune, and those with rosacea are 3X more likely to develop T1D.
Look into Sjogrens, especially if you have joint pain, with an ANA and then SSa and SSb blood tests. Get a tear test at the opthalmologist. Those are easiest tests as indicators for SS or UCTD. Good luck!
Receding gums (had one gum repaired but then lost dental coverage – so other is semi-nakid ). It’s in my family genes to begin with – but diabetes doesn’t help of course. Even with paying out of pocket due to no insurance – I encourage everyone to get their teeth cleaned/examined at least once a year – it might save your life – as dental health is associated with heart health if you didn’t know (I work in the area of diabetes education so have learned so much researching for many companies that hire me to research for their authors who need credible links to their stories they share with you). Yeah – I’m the little behind the scenes person that makes big name writers look brilliant 🙂 Smile – you’re on Candid Camera !
Anna, thanks. I agree. I’ve heard and read dental disease and heart problems are correlated. I also get yearly eye exams.
The one I chose was dry mouth.
The others I didn’t chose were oral ulcers because I had them way before dx of T1D, along with
erosion of tooth enamel and receding gums.
I have had problems with digestion my entire life and assume this has hurt my mouth in different ways. Regurgitation has always occurred if I eat too quickly or too much. My father, with no autoimmune conditions said he had similar digestion to a cow. I didn’t realize it was abnormal as a child.
Was dx’d with T1D at age 8. Had to have a set of molars pulled at age 12 to create alignment space for crooked teeth and then 4 years of braces to guide teeth into place. A couple of root canals as a young adult, veneers and crown work done as middle aged and older adult, and periods of receding gums over the years.
I floss and brush at least 2x per day & now see dentist every six months for cleaning. Yes: dry mouth, a root canal, couple of crowns, receding gums.. Yes to bruxism, but could not get used to mouth guard. I’ll try it again. For dry mouth, I tried sugarless gum.
I’ve been prone to abscesses in my gums, do you believe it! DDS was suprised that no root cause was apparent. I lost teeth because of it.