The Diabetic's Guide to Dental Health
Diabetics often have dental problems because of the high glucose levels in their blood. The bacteria in your mouth thrive off of that glucose and can cause tooth and gum problems. If your doctor has recommended that you begin treatment for diabetes, you also need to be aware of how it can affect your dental health.
Diabetic Symptoms That Increase the Risk of Dental Problems
Some of the general symptoms associated with diabetes affect your oral health, such as:
- Dry mouth - Can cause oral infections, ulcers, tooth decay and painful gums. The impaired salivary glands also reduce your sense of taste.
- Thickened red blood cells - Reduces the delivery of nutrients to your mouth and the removal of waste products.
- Inflammation of gum tissue - Can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease.
- Higher glucose levels in the saliva - Provides a breeding ground for oral fungus and fungal infections.
- Reduced immune system response - Can cause inflammation and infections of soft tissues in the mouth. This also slows down healing of any oral sores or other infections.
Dental Care for the Diabetic
You should work with your dentist to create a dental care plan to limit the impact of diabetes on your oral health. The plan should cover more frequent visits to your dental clinic and home dental care routines. Your plan should include:
- Brushing after every meal and snack - This reduces the bacteria in the mouth that may feed on the high-glucose saliva. The bacteria will produce plaque that, if not removed by brushing, will turn into tartar which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
- Using a toothbrush with soft bristles - This is better on the gums than a stiffer brush, causes less irritation and potential bleeding and infection in the gums.
- Proper monitoring of blood sugar - When you know that your glucose levels are high, take extra time for your dental care. With higher blood sugar levels is an increased chance of bacterial action.
- Make regular dental visits - Find out how often you should see your dentist if your blood sugar is controlled and when it is not controlled.
- Update your dentist with your diabetes information - Your dentist will track in their file on your how well your diabetes is being controlled. This helps them to recommend changes in your dental hygiene habits.
- Delay dental work if your diabetes should become uncontrolled - Because of the reduction of your immune system response, you should not have dental work done when your blood sugar level rises. The healing time is longer and you have a higher risk of infection until your gums and soft tissues are healed.
Having a plan to follow and sticking to it are key to maintaining good oral health in spite of your diabetes. For more information, contact a dentist in your area like Pittsburgh Dental Spa.
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