Good Oral Health is Essential for Diabetics
The Journal of the American Dental Association recently published a study revealing that people with diabetes visit the dentist less often than those without diabetes. The results of this research study is surprising to our Placerville dentists, because of the proven link between diabetes and the risk of developing periodontal disease.
One of the primary research scientists and authors, Dr. Bei Wu, says, “For people living with diabetes, regular dental checkups — paired with proactive dental and diabetes self-care — are important for maintaining good oral health. Regular dental visits provide opportunities for prevention, early detection, and treatment of periodontal disease, which can potentially help with blood glucose control and preventing complications from diabetes.” The Placerville Dental Group agrees whole-heartedly with this statement!
Protect Your Oral Health
It is possible to have good oral health, even if you have diabetes. Extra effort is required, but it prevents health complications later. If you have diabetes, what should you do to maintain your oral health?
First, brush and floss daily. Good oral care begins at home with a routine that prevents small problems from becoming major ones. For example, diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken and prevents nutrients and oxygen from reaching sensitive gum tissues, resulting in a higher risk for gum disease. High glucose levels in saliva also promote bacteria, and that irritates gums and sets the stage for periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing daily prevents plaque from building up and forming pockets of inflammation that cause gum recession and weakens teeth.
Second, control your diabetes by following your doctor’s instructions and take medications as prescribed. Maintaining a healthy diet promotes good oral health. Good insulin control is key to making sure your mouth stays healthy. By following these suggestions, it’s possible to have diabetes, yet with no signs of gum disease!
Lastly, visit the dentist, regularly! You may even want to visit on a three or four month schedule, not the semi-annual schedule followed by most dental patients. And if your mouth already has symptoms of periodontitis — such as bleeding or sensitive gums, loose teeth, pain and even tooth loss — make an appointment right away to see our Placerville dentists. We treat advanced gum disease and its complications to help patients regain confident smiles and pain free mouths. Contact our local downtown Placerville dental clinic to make an appointment and prevent gum disease!
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