Dental care for people with diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is still incurable but that can be controlled by taking many precautions. If you have diabetes, you must look out for what you eat, exercise regularly, take your medication diligently, and also pay special attention to your oral health.

Among the oral problems that diabetes can trigger, dry mouth (xerostomia) and infections are the main ones. Xerostomia, or lack of saliva in the mouth, can have serious consequences, including tooth decay (cavities), the appearance of ulcers and fungal infections, and the difficulty of wearing dentures and partials.

Oral infections that diabetics encounter are the cause of periodontal disease. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects the gums and the bone that support teeth. Gum disease is more difficult to cure when you have diabetes. It is therefore important to maintain your gums healthy and have them checked regularly.

Furthermore, if you are diabetic and undergo oral surgery, healing will be more slow than usual. So whether you have a tooth extraction, wisdom teeth removal, or gum surgery, you must expect longer healing time.

Dentists recommend people with diabetes to have meticulous oral hygiene, by brushing and flossing preferably after every meal. It is also cautious to see your dentist for regular checkups, every three months if possible, for a tooth and gum exam, and a tartar scaling. At each visit, your medical history must be updated by informing any change of your diabetes state and the medication that you are taking.

If you feel that your gums are bleeding more than usual, it would be important to consult your dentist immediately. Gum disease is the worst oral complication that you can get when you have diabetes and it must be controlled. You must also notify your physician of the state of your oral health.

A lot of attention is needed to keep your mouth healthy. But if you act with the recommendations of your physician and your dentist, you can lead a healthy life for a very long time.

Full Article: Diabetes and Dental Care
In French: Soins dentaires pour les gens atteints du diabète

5 Steps to Good Oral Health

Having healthy teeth and healthy gums is simple once you know what to do. Avoid oral problems and unwanted disease by following these 5 steps:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Use preferably fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria. Also floss every day to remove the remaining plaque around the gums and in between the teeth to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Eat a balanced diet
Avoid excess sugar because tooth decay causing bacteria use sugar to start cavities. Avoid sweet drinks, especially soft drinks and energy drinks. Eat fruits instead of drinking fruit juices. A healthy diet promotes wellness and good oral health.

See your dentist regularly
Regular checkups with your dentist, preferably every six months, help to stop small problems from worsening. Regular cleanings also prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
Tobacco causes gum disease and eventually tooth loss. Smoking can also lead to deadly diseases such as oral cancer.

Check regularly for warning signs
Gum disease is a serious illness that leads to tooth loss. The warning signs are bad breath and red, puffy and sore bleeding gums. Oral cancer’s warning signs include inexplicable bleeding, open sores, white or red patches, numbness or tingling, and small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks or on your gums. If these signs become visible in your mouth and don’t disappear after two weeks, you should report them quickly to your dentist.

In French: 5 étapes pour une bonne santé bucco-dentaire
Source: Globe and Mail