Dental Problems with teeth and gums can be more common in people with diabetes, so good dental health is important to prevent dental complications in individuals with diabetes type 1 or type 2.
When you visit a dentist, never forget to inform them if you have either new or long-standing diabetes, as this might affect your dental treatment and how often they review your teeth and gums.
DENTAL HYGIENE AND DIABETES
People with diabetes who have poor control of their blood glucose levels are more likely to develop dental problems. Therefore, keeping the blood sugar within a normal range reduces the risk of gum infection and tooth loss.
Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and giving up alcohol consumption are all advised to lessen the risk of oral health problems in diabetic people.
Dental Problems: Tips to ensure good oral health
1. Make sure that you visit a dentist every six months, whether you have a problem or not, so that any tooth decay can be caught early. Some signs that you may have gum disease include red, swollen, and/or bleeding gums, loose or sensitive teeth, and persistent bad breath.
Remember, if a diabetic has moderately advanced periodontal disease, it can be more difficult for them to control their blood sugar, and vice-versa.
2. Diabetic people may need deep cleaning, antibiotics, or even oral surgery depending on how advanced the gum disease is, and that becomes an issue due to blood sugar as the blood glucose levels respond almost immediately by rising in order to avoid the infection.
3. Avoid acidic drinks like soda, energy drinks, packaged fruit juices, and water with lemon. These can erode the enamel of your teeth, which can lead to further decay.
4. Floss daily between each tooth, sliding up and down and back and forth gently to avoid bleeding. Use a soft-bristled brush with gentle strokes and make sure you reach all of your teeth. The goal is to get rid of plaque buildup.
5. Remember to gently brush your tongue for a few seconds, too, to get rid of bacteria.
6. People with diabetes are also more likely to have a dry mouth due to elevated blood glucose or medications. To avoid dry mouth, you can chew sugar-free gum, use a mouth gel, or eat some sugar-free candy.
7. Buy sugar-free toothpaste that can be used by people with diabetes too.
All in all, remember that diabetes also puts you at risk of periodontal diseases and that maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits are a must!
For any further questions, do contact Partha Dental Clinics, the best dental clinic in town!
