Managing Your Oral Health When You Have Diabetes
Taking extra care of teeth and gums.
Diabetes is a prevalent issue in today’s society with an estimated 5 million people in the UK currently being diagnosed with the disease according to Diabetes.org.
It really is a nasty disease, causing all kinds of medical issues, including many that affect your oral health. High blood sugar really can affect your teeth and gums negatively.
When you live with diabetes you should be aware of the problems it can pose to your oral health, so that you can access the correct support and advice from your Abbey Road Dental team when you need it.
Here are two of the main ways diabetes can affect your oral health:
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common risk factor of diabetes. This is because diabetes can limit how much blood gets to the gums which in turn increases the risk of disease. Unfortunately, if you suffered from other health issues before getting diabetes, the risk of gum disease is further increased.
Gum disease generally comes in two stages. Stage one is gingivitis and stage two is periodontitis, and gingivitis can progress into periodontitis if it is not treated. Diabetes also makes the risk of gum disease worse by making it more difficult for your body to fight infection. Typical symptoms of gum disease are:
- Red swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Gum irritation
If you start to experience any of these symptoms you should see your dentist at Abbey Road Dental as soon as possible.
Dry Mouth
A common symptom of diabetes is dry mouth and feeling thirsty all the time. This irritating symptom can cause oral issues because less saliva is bad news for your mouth. Saliva helps to protect the teeth and gums and the less of it you have, the more vulnerable your mouth is to tooth decay. Your St John’s Wood dentist will be able to give you tips and advice on managing this symptom.
Lots of other lifestyle habits can exacerbate diabetes symptoms and the more information you have on what makes it worse, the better. A combined programme of management from your doctor and dentist will ensure that you are leading the best possible life you can whist dealing with this disease. You will need to ensure that:
- You’re on the correct medication
- You are limiting all habits that make diabetes symptoms and risks worse, such as smoking
- You are visiting your doctor and dentist regularly to ensure that your symptoms are being managed
- You are following a good oral health regime. Additional visits to your NW8 hygienist might be appropriate
- You are visiting health care providers whenever you get new symptoms.
Get More Information On Managing Your Oral Health From Abbey Road Dental
If you want more information on managing your diabetes symptoms in relation to your oral health, please get in touch on 02076241603 and we will be more than happy to help. With diseases like diabetes, the more informed and ready you are to reach out for treatment and advice when you need it, the more chance you have of sustaining a good quality of life in the future.
We’re here to support you in achieving optimum oral health…
