12/11/2021
📌 Ahead of November 14, 2021 - World Diabetes Day
🩸 Diabetes and dental care: Guide to a healthy mouth
🦷 What do brushing and flossing have to do with diabetes? Plenty. If you have diabetes, type 1 or Type 2, here's why dental care matters — and how to do it right. Managing your blood sugar is key as is great oral hygiene. Read below, and come and see us. We can help, it’s what we are trained to do, and we do it really well, 6 days a week.
‼️ Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is key. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of:
- Tooth decay. The higher your blood sugar level, the greater the supply of sugars and starches and the more acid wearing away at your teeth.
- Early gum disease (gingivitis). Diabetes reduces your ability to fight bacteria. Gingivitis can turn into:
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis). An infection such as periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which in turn makes your diabetes more difficult to control.
- Thrush. People with diabetes may be more likely to develop thrush, which is a fungal infection.
- Dry mouth (xerostomia). Some people with diabetes also experience a lack of saliva.
🦷🦷 Proper dental care 🦷🦷
✅ To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums, take diabetes and dental care seriously:
• Make a commitment to manage your diabetes.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brush in the morning, at night and, ideally, after meals and snacks. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate the gums. Go electric?
• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Schedule regular dental visits. We are here to help.
• Make sure your dentist knows you have diabetes.
• Look for early signs of gum disease.
• Don't smoke.
