The Link Between Dentistry and Diabetes
Diabetes is a complex medical condition affecting millions of people. Anyone diagnosed with diabetes must be careful about what they eat and manage their blood sugar levels very carefully. Diabetes also carries a heightened risk of developing additional medical conditions, including increased vulnerability to gum disease. If you or someone you know has diabetes, it’s important to understand the relationship between dental health and diabetes.
Diabetes
and the Risk of Gum Disease
One
of the most common medical conditions affecting those with diabetes is gum
disease. About 22% of people with diabetes experience some type of periodontal
disease, which most commonly results from poor blood sugar control. Diabetes
can cause saliva production problems, dry out the mouth and gums, and delay the
healing of minor wounds inside of the mouth. All these factors, in turn,
increase the risk of developing gum disease.
Reducing Your Risk of Gum Disease With Diabetes
It’s
vital to manage your blood sugar carefully when you have diabetes. Doing so
will reduce your risk of developing gum disease. Eating a healthy, balanced
diet, taking prescribed diabetes medications, and practicing good daily oral
hygiene are some of the best preventative steps you can take to reduce your
risk of developing gum disease.
It
is also wise for diabetics to avoid smoking and smokeless tobacco use. Both of
these habits can increase the risk of gum disease already imposed by having
diabetes. People with diabetes should also schedule regular checkups with their
dentists to track the health of their teeth and gums over time. If you have
specific questions about steps you can take to limit your risk of gum disease,
talk to your dentist about the unique complications your diabetes presents.
Seeking Emergency Care for Diabetes
and Gum Disease
Anyone
with diabetes who experiences a critical event such as hypoglycemic shock needs
immediate medical attention from an emergency medical team. However, gum
disease caused by diabetes can lead to acute dental issues that may require
specialized treatment from an experienced dentist.
Your
regular dentist may not offer emergency treatment hours or may be booked for
several weeks before they can see you. In this case, the Emergency Dental
Service can help you find a local emergency dentist to provide the gum
treatment and advice you need to overcome your symptoms safely. If you need
emergency dental care right away, contact
Emergency Dental Service online or call us at 1-888-350-1340. Our team
will help you locate an emergency dentist near you who can accommodate
complications posed by diabetes.
This blog "The Link Between Dentistry and Diabetes" originally posted HERE.
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