While it’s common knowledge that diabetes impacts your overall health, it also plays an important role in your oral health. People with high blood sugar levels have an increased risk of gingivitis, periodontitis (severe gum disease), oral infections, and dry mouth. Additionally, if you have oral inflammation, it may increase your insulin resistance. Treating periodontitis and other dental issues, then, often leads to an impactful lowering of your glycated hemoglobin. Given this two-way relationship, it’s important for patients to include dental care in their diabetes management.
To start, let’s take a closer look at the connection between oral health and diabetes.
First, it’s important to understand that the biggest worry for patients with diabetes is that the disease impedes the body’s natural ability to fight bacteria, making infections more common. With high levels of glucose in the blood, plaques often build up more easily, which can lead to gum disease and other dental concerns. If you have diabetes, you are also prone to dry mouth, which creates an environment where bacteria and germs thrive.
After a diabetes diagnosis, it’s critical to monitor your blood sugar levels and follow the medical guidelines. Diet and exercise play a major role in controlling your blood sugar levels, as does taking prescribed medications on time. When it comes to nutrition, minimize your intake of sugary drinks and snacks that can spike your blood sugar and cause tooth decay. If needed, ask your dentist for tooth-friendly snack replacements! It’s also helpful to avoid tobacco and limit caffeine as well. Stable glucose levels in your blood not only prevent oral infections but also promote quick healing if infections do arise.
When it comes to your oral health and diabetes management, you should take a proactive approach — beginning with your daily oral hygiene routine.
Consider the following checklist for your dental care:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Be sure to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months.
- Floss at least once a day.
- You can also use an antibacterial mouthwash to further protect your teeth and gums from bacteria and germs.
- To avoid dry mouth, stay hydrated with water throughout the day. You can also chew sugar-free gum to promote saliva production.
- Keep up with your bi-annual professional cleanings and dental check-ups. Let your dentist know about your diabetes as well as all of your prescribed medications. Alert them to any mouth dryness, bleeding gums, or oral discomfort.
- Consider seeing your dentist as often as every three months if you experience periodontitis or are concerned about any infections. Early detection plays a key role in oral health and diabetes management.
Ultimately, your oral health is a key indicator of your overall health. If you have diabetes, keeping your mouth healthy and clean is essential to your diabetes care routine.
We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for your dental needs!
Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like your family’s dental routine, dental anxiety, and more.