At Scott R. Adishian, DDS, Inc. in Arcadia, California, we know how diabetes can impact one’s oral health. Since 29.1 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes, and nearly 1.7 million new cases come up every year, we’d like to talk a little bit about how to care for your oral health when you have this disease.
Diabetics are more prone to infections because their immune system has a hard time fighting bacterial infection. This allows gum disease to impact their health, as infection makes their blood sugar rise. High blood sugar affects your eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves along with other areas in the body. Untreated diabetes can impact your oral health as well:
– Decreasing saliva levels leading to “dry mouth”. Dry mouth, in turn, creates an environment that promotes tooth decay and gum disease.
– Gum disease, or gingivitis, causes your gums to swell and bleed from irritation to the tissues.
– Diabetics can have trouble tasting food.
– With diabetes, any wounds in the mouth take longer to heal.
– Diabetics are more prone to oral infections.
So what can you do if you have diabetes? In addition to managing your health with medical help, you can protect your oral health by maintaining a strong oral hygiene routine. Let’s take a look!
– Let your dental team know that you are being treated for diabetes.
– Never skip your scheduled professional dental cleanings and checkups to spot problems early and ensure timely treatment.
– Let your dental team know if you have pain when you eat, or if you have bleeding or swollen gums.
– Brush at least twice a day, and if you are prone to cavities, use a fluoride toothpaste.
– Floss once a day, and bedtime is optimal for removing food particles for the night. Aim to clear the plaque from between teeth and along the gumline.
Caring for your smile when you have diabetes means maintaining regular dental visits and daily oral hygiene. If you are needing to schedule a visit with Dr. Scott R. Adishian, please give us a call at 626-796-3700 and let us help you keep your smile healthy!