Good oral hygiene is important for everyone to have, especially people living with diabetes. Diabetic people are at a higher risk for getting mouth infections, especially periodontal or gum disease. Periodontal disease damages the gums and the jaw bone that hold the teeth in place in the mouth, which can lead to painful chewing problems. People who suffer from serious periodontal disease usually lose their teeth and can even have problems controlling their blood glucose levels.
Dry mouth and thrush, which is a fungal infection, are other dental problems commonly associated with diabetes. Diabetes causes the level of glucose in one’s saliva to increase, which, when combined with dry mouth, causes thrush to develop with painful white patches in the mouth.
By controlling the blood glucose level, brushing and flossing daily, and regularly visiting a dentist in Los Angeles, a person with diabetes can help prevent periodontal disease and keep their teeth and gums healthy.
If you are a diabetic, be sure to follow these simple steps to stay healthy:
- Control your blood glucose.
- Brush and floss every day.
- Visit your dentist regularly and be sure to tell them that you have diabetes.
- Tell your dentist if your dentures do not fit right, or if your gums are sore.
- Quit smoking; smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can offer solutions to help you quit.
- Take time to check your mouth regularly for any problems. Things to look for include: bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth - all of these are reasons to visit your dentist.
And remember, good blood glucose control can help prevent mouth problems and periodontal disease.
