Diabetes and Dental Health
Diabetes and Dental Health
Aug 20, 2008
Bright Hub!
Diabetes affects so much in a person's life. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, there are things that are still going to be affected on you. Things like eyesight, kidney function, feet problems, heart health, and dental disease all have to be carefully monitored. How exactly does diabetes affect a patient's dental health? High blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels in the body will increase your likelihood of having unhealthy teeth and gums. If you have red or swollen gums you
may have an infection which will make your blood glucose rise as well.
There are ways to tell if you are getting a dental disease while you are taking care of your other diabetic problems. Along with proper eye tests and circulation tests, make sure that you get a dental exam every year. They will check for gingivitis (where there are sore swollen red gums and some bleeding) and they will check for periodontitis (where your gums shrink and pull from your teeth). Bone loss and abscesses under the teeth (in what is called "the pockets") can be beds of toxin breeding grounds. These toxins are released back into your body and can make your blood sugar rise and your body sicker than it would be with proper dental health. Non alcohol mouthwashes and flossing with your brushing routine can help keep toxins and infections at bay.
When scheduling your dentdental appointments remember your insulin schedule. Don't make an appointment when you know you will be needing to eat or take insulin, some of the best appointment times are directly after a meal. Don't ever skip a meal or a shot for a visit to the dentist, wait and do proper scheduling.
Preventing Dental Problems
Get regular checkups and full mouth xrays every year
Brush twice a day, once at night and once in the morning
Floss and rinse with a non alcohol mouthwash
