Diabetics Must Maintain Healthy Insulin Levels
Diabetes mellitus is a serious medical condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. The constant fluctuation of excess blood sugar in the body of a diabetic individual leads to an assortment of health problems, including tooth decay and gingivitis. An individual with diabetes must understand how to manage their oral health to avoid loss of teeth. In addition to regular visits to a physician concerning maintaining healthy insulin levels with proper nutrition and daily exercise, diabetics should have dental examinations frequently. Routine examinations by a dentist can find early symptoms of gum and root infections of diabetic patients to provide treatments quickly to prevent additional dental problems.
Frequent Brushing and Flossing Prevents Gingivitis
Consuming a nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables along with low-fat protein and dairy products helps to maintain a diabetic individual’s weight while keeping their immune system strong. A strong immune system helps to prevent infections such as mouth sores that can lead to gum disease. Daily oral care with a fluoridated toothpaste and quality toothbrush removes food debris from the mouth to prevent bacterial growth. Removing food particles between the teeth and along the gum tissue helps to prevent the development of plaque. By flossing teeth at least once a day, a diabetic individual is able to remove additional sticky plaque and debris to stop the development of halitosis, cavities and gingivitis.
Visit a Dental Specialist when Gum Tissue is Receding
Selecting the correct tools for brushing and flossing teeth is essential for everyone, including diabetics with a tendency toward gum disease and cavities. A diabetic individual needs to avoid gum damage by choosing a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Choosing the proper type of floss to prevent bleeding gums while scraping away debris is also important. When a diabetic notices that their gums are bleeding excessively during brushing or flossing, this is often a symptom of early periodontal disease. A diabetic’s dentist may recommend an appointment with a periodontist to begin specialized treatments to avoid tooth loss.
Stop Smoking Cigarettes to Protect the Oral Cavity from Inflammation
Between regular dental examinations, a diabetic must remain vigilant about checking their oral cavity for problems such as swollen or receding gum tissue that indicates inflammation is present. Diabetics who wear dentures should contact their dentist if the devices feel loose in the mouth or cause discomfort. Poorly fitted dentures and dental appliances can lead to infections caused by sores on the soft tissues of the oral cavity, causing serious complications for diabetic individuals. Because studies show that smokers are more likely to develop gingivitis, diabetics should stop smoking cigarettes to reduce their risk of developing gum disease. A diabetic individual must check their blood sugar levels frequently to protect overall health, including reducing the incidence of gingivitis and cavities.
