Diabetes and Oral Health: What Your Dentist Sees
December 13, 2017 1:10 pm |It’s no secret that diabetes is a health condition that must be treated because of the problems it can cause throughout the body—including your mouth. Almost 26 million children and adults in the U.S. suffer from diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Cedar Park dentists, Dr. Kerr, Dr. Hedgecock, Dr. Patel, and Dr. Edmonds want you to know the side effects diabetes can have on oral health. When diabetics experience high glucose levels, those elevated sugars can help bacteria thrive, which causes major problems for their teeth. Because of the risks, it’s important for diabetics to take especially good care of their teeth. Some diabetics have chronic inflammation and infections in their mouths or other special oral care needs. Common dental conditions associated with diabetes include tooth decay, gum disease, saliva gland dysfunction, infections, and delayed healing. If you are diabetic, it is paramount that you share that information with your dentist.
Diabetics, like all other people, should be vigilant about regular brushing and flossing habits. In addition, they need to:
- Watch for signs or symptoms of oral disease and report them to their dentist
- Visit Vista Ridge Family Dentistry regularly and remind them of your diabetes each visit
- Maintain your blood glucose at normal levels whenever possible
Some dental symptoms of diabetes to look out for are:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Tender or swollen gums
- Pus between the teeth when the gums are pressed
- Consistent bad breath or taste in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- A bite that feels different
- Oral candidiasis (thrush)
- Poor healing
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