Straight Teeth in Less Time
Diabetes And Gum Disease: How To Prevent And Treat It
Lois Murray
Diabetes is a manageable condition that affects almost 10% of the American population. If you have diabetes, you may be more aware of complications that can occur as a result of the condition and how to properly control them. Below is an overview of a less commonly known diabetes-related condition, gum disease, and how you can maintain a healthy, disease-free mouth.
Dental Complications Due to Diabetes
If you're diabetic, a complication you may have never heard of or even considered is that of gum disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, there is a very real link between diabetes and gum disease.
Diabetes has been known to lower the body's ability to properly fight infections, and this is believed to increase a diabetic patient's risk of developing gum disease and further dental complications. Poor dental hygiene can also cause complications with blood sugar, leading to uncontrolled blood glucose levels and further increasing the odds of complications.
How to Keep Your Dental Health in Check
While everyone should be brushing and flossing daily as well as visiting their dentist twice a year, patients with diabetes should be more on their toes regarding their dental hygiene.
With the help of your dentist, you can come up with an effective plan of attack that will keep gum disease at bay and your teeth strong and healthy. Your dentist may ask you to look thoroughly for signs of gum disease, such as bleeding, redness, or swelling, and will have you take a proactive approach to prevention – any signs of gum disease should be dealt with swiftly and intensely, usually by increased brushing frequency and more careful flossing.
Warning Signs of a Serious Issue
While the proactive approach is best, it isn't always possible, and warning signs may appear before you can get the gum disease under control.
Gum disease falls on a spectrum – minor infection can be easily dealt with as mentioned above, but a more severe infection may require the help of your dentist. While bleeding, redness, and swelling are signs of a minor problem, more severe signs include receding gums, loose teeth, and bleeding at the slightest touch and should be brought to the attention of your dentist immediately. Your dentist will likely take an aggressive approach to prevent further tissue and bone loss, which may include surgical reconstruction of tissues.
If you suspect gum disease or would like to learn more about how to prevent it, consult with your dentist and consider requesting a referral to a periodontist like those at Cumberland Periodontal Associate, professionals who specialize in the treatment and prevention of gum disease and related issues.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.