Diabetes commonly known as “sugar” is a medical condition in which the blood glucose level is raised. It can be due to either decreased production of insulin and/or increased resistance to its effects.
If you have diabetes, good oral health is extremely important to maintain because it increases the risk of oral problems, especially fastens the gums disease and it also badly affects the teeth and gums by slowing the healing process. Regular dental checkups are important for diabetics to maintain excellent oral health.
Keep reading to learn more about oral health care in diabetes.
How Diabetes can affect oral health?
Untreated diabetes can cause:
- Dry mouth
- Risk of dental caries
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Bitter taste
- Delayed wound healing
- Increased susceptibility to oral infections.
- An earlier eruption of teeth
- Loose teeth
- Increased gaps between teeth
Diabetics with poor control are more likely to develop serious oral health problems.
How dental appointments for diabetic patients are special?
Since diabetes is a serious medication condition, that demands special attention and extra care during routine dental procedures therefore in patients with diabetes it is assured that patient has eaten normally before the appointment and has taken all necessary medications to keep it under control. Furthermore, for diabetic patient’s morning appointments are recommended.
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes cannot undergo routine surgical procedures, since diabetes causes a delay in wound healing. Therefore, it is essential to keep blood glucose (sugar) level under control before dental treatment.
Why gums are more affected by diabetes?
Diabetics are at a higher risk for gum problems because of poor immunity to fight with bacteria. These bacteria rapidly destroy the gum tissue causing teeth to loosen.
How important regular dental checkups are for diabetic patients?
Oral and dental health problems related to diabetes do not always cause symptoms. Dentists are professionally trained to diagnose initial symptoms of diabetes, such as the dry mouth or bad breath.
Diabetes can adversely affect your oral, dental, and gum health if not treated and diagnosed in the initial stages. For this reason, it’s necessary to regularly see the dentist to keep your mouth healthy.
How Your Dentist Can Help You Fight Diabetes?
As discussed earlier, your dentist may help you diagnose the condition early, with the proper referral for diabetic management and oral health maintenance your dentist can help you protect from harmful effects of diabetes.
If you have diabetes, what you can do?
You do your best to get your blood glucose (sugar) levels under control, especially before your dental appointment, especially if you are undergoing surgery or another treatment that is expected to cause bleeding. If your glucose (sugar) levels remain high, rescheduling your appointment should be considered.
Tips and Tricks to keep your mouth healthy:
Take diabetes and dental care seriously. Following are a few tips to help prevent teeth and gums problems:
- Keep your blood sugar level under control
- Make sure your dentist knows you have diabetes
- Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes
- Floss regularly
- Use a fluoridated toothpaste
- Look and report early signs of gum disease, if any
- See your dentist regularly
- Quit smoking
Diabetes is a serious disease that requires a strong commitment to keeping it under control. With good professional medical and dental care, it can be easily managed.
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Medical Disclaimer:
RoyalDentalCare.Pk provides the best available evidence-based information for its readers. However, no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional doctor/dentist. Always seek your doctor’s advice before implementing any information provided.
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