Type 1 Diabetes: Caring for your teeth

Everyone should look after their teeth, but you need to take some extra care when you have Type 1 diabetes.

Tooth Decay

• Eating or drinking sugary things and not brushing your teeth regularly can lead to tooth decay.
• Treating your hypos means having to eat more things with sugar in them, which can cause more tooth decay.
• Tooth decay can be painful and lead to infections, which can be harder to treat when you have diabetes.

Gum Disease

• This is caused when bacteria from food makes your gums irritated.
• If your diabetes is not very well controlled, you are more likely to get gum disease. However, gum disease can also make controlling your diabetes even harder. Looking after your teeth can help prevent this cycle.

Oral Thrush

• Thrush is a fungal infection that grows more when your Blood Glucose levels are running high.
• Thrush causes a white coating on your tongue and the roof of your mouth and can feel really sore.

So What Can You Do to Help Look After Your Teeth?

Healthy Brushing

• Brush your teeth for a minimum of 2 minutes at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Ensure that you are having the recommended dose of fluoride (1350-1500ppm). Check your toothpaste box as this information is displayed on there.
• How much toothpaste should I use?
  • Under and up to 3 years old: 1 pea-sized blob.
  • 3 years old and above: 1 double pea-sized blob.
• Spit out your toothpaste but do not rinse your mouth afterwards. This helps to keep that fluoride working after you brush.
• Use the ‘Brush DJ’ phone app for help with timing your brushing, flossing and more!

FACT:
One 330ml can of regular cola is equal to 10 teaspoons of sugar!

Limit that Sugar Damage.

• Try to limit your sugary food and drinks to mealtimes, unless it is your hypo treatment.
• If possible, avoid using fizzy drinks and sticky sweets to treat your hypos.
• If you have a sugary drink, try using a straw. Rinse your mouth afterwards with water or with a fluoride mouthwash if you are older than 6 years old.
• If you are old enough to chew gum safely (7+ years old), try chewing one piece of sugar-free gum after eating sweets or drinking a sugary drink.

Visit Your Dentist

• Ensure that you are registered with your local dentist and talk to them if you have any problems with your teeth.
• It is very important that you have a check-up with your dentist at least twice a year and that they are aware that you have Type 1 Diabetes.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

The team are available to help with any concerns/complaints you may have about your experience at the Trust. Their office is in the Main Foyer (Gate 4) of Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Contact can be made either in person, by telephone or email.

The contact details are:

Telephone: 01302 642764 or 0800 028 8059
Email: dbth.pals.dbh@nhs.net

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