Proper oral hygiene can help keep your entire system happy and healthy. Regular dental visits and adequate at-home care are important for every dental patient in order to optimize their health status. However, many patients visit Soft Touch Dentistry with existing health conditions or diseases that make them even more susceptible to gum disease or poor oral health.
Unfortunately diabetes is one of the most common diseases seen by our office that requires medical and dental management. If you’re diabetic it is important to know from the beginning that you may have to pay even more attention to your dental health and take additional steps to protect your smile.
First and foremost diabetic patients must control their disease. This is important for your overall health. However, unmanaged diabetes can also wreck havoc on your gums and teeth. Unmanaged blood sugar can lead to weak gums, bleeding and other conditions that contribute to gum disease and periodontitis. Advanced gum disease can cause the need for extractions and other more elaborate dental treatments such as bridges, partials or full dentures.
It is important to manage your diabetes to avoid these complications. Additionally, practice diligent at-home care with regular brushing, flossing and rinsing. Have your mouth examined by a dentist twice a year, including dental x-rays. Always be sure to mention your diabetic status to your dental professional.
Diabetes doesn’t have to control your life, but it is important to be aware of the added risk diabetic patients have for gum disease and other dental conditions. If you have diabetes and haven’t scheduled a dental check up this year, contact Soft Touch Dentistry today.
