• Breathing through the mouth can produce throat dryness and pain.
• Postnasal drip can cause a sore throat.
• A sore throat can also be caused by bacteria, being the two most common bacteria that cause it are haemolyticum and Streptococcus, mainly among young adults and are sometimes associated with a red rash.
• Sore throat also occurs after treatment with antibiotics, chemotherapy or other medications that compromise the immune system, candida, commonly known as “thrush”.
• A sore throat that lasts more than two weeks can be a sign of serious illness, such as throat cancer or AIDS.

What I do at home for a sore throat?

Overall, the sore throats must run its course, except for streptococcal infection, but some recommendations for treatment in the home are:

• Gargle with salt water, anesthetic sprays and lozenges can provide temporary relief of pain. (Caution: pills and candy are a choking hazard to children. Avoid use in young children and provided medical prescription in between).
• A humidifier may be helpful in relieving symptoms, especially in sore throats caused by mouth breathing and dry air.
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help control pain.

If you have health problems such as heart disease or high blood pressure, consult your health care professional before using these products.

People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, including gum disease (periodontal disease). This disease damages the gums and jaw bones (that hold the teeth in place) and can lead to painful chewing. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. The gum disease could also be hard to control your blood sugar (glucose) in blood.

Other problems caused by diabetes is a condition known as dry mouth or dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth occurs when there is not enough saliva (the fluid that keeps your mouth wet). Furthermore, diabetes can increase the level of glucose in the saliva. The combination of these problems may lead to thrush, a small white ulcers that appear in the mouth and painful.

You can have healthy teeth and gums. To control the level of glucose in the blood and prevent gum disease, it is important to brush and floss every day and checkups. If diabetes is not under control, the possibility of having problems in your mouth. Take steps to maintain the health of your mouth. Call your dentist when you notice a problem.

If you have diabetes, take the following measures:

• Control the level of glucose in the blood.
• Brush and floss every day.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Do not forget to tell you that you have diabetes.
• Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit or sore gums.
• Stop smoking. Smoking worsens gum disease. The doctor or dentist can help you quit smoking.

Take a few minutes to inspect your mouth regularly for any problems. Sometimes, their gums bleed when brushing or flossing. You may also notice dryness, soreness, white patches or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to visit the dentist.

Remember, the proper control of blood sugar helps prevent mouth problems.