Diabetes is a condition that can cause much inflammation and leaves the patient prone to infections in the body, including the mouth…
If you have diabetes or know someone that has diabetes, you may have heard them talking about the health of their mouth. Diabetics need to take extra special care of their oral health in order to keep conditions such as tooth decay, periodontal disease (gum disease) and tooth loss at bay. According to previous studies conducted on dental health in relation to diabetes, managing blood-sugar levels is the key to helping diabetics maintain their oral health. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, according to data collected over the years, the higher the blood-sugar level the higher the risk of developing the following dental conditions:
Cavities/tooth decay
Our mouths contain natural levels of bacteria that are constantly in the mouth, working in tandem with our other dental elements such as saliva to help create a balanced ecosystem. When we consume foods that are high in starch or sugar, this bacterium thrives and creates a film over the teeth we know as plaque. When the blood-sugar levels are high, this means there are more sugars within the mouth that cause more bacteria to eat away at your enamel – causing tooth decay.
To combat this, talk to your qualified general health practitioner about how best to keep your blood-sugar levels down and maintain a good oral health routine.
Gingivitis
Gum disease can be devastating to your oral health and can quickly become out of control for those who suffer diabetes, which reduces your ability to fight bacteria and inflammation. If you neglect your oral health routine by not removing plaque everyday via brushing and flossing, it will harden to tartar that irritates the gums and can only be removed by a professional dentist.
Severe periodontitis
When gingivitis is not properly treated or even neglected, it can lead to severe periodontitis, where your teeth are more likely to become weak, loose or even fall out! Periodontitis is a severe infection within the gums that destroys the soft tissues within the mouth as well as the bone that supports your teeth. This type of infection can also cause the blood-sugar levels to rise, which can make diabetes more difficult to control.
At Ironside Advanced Dental we care about your oral health…
These dental conditions can affect ANYONE, not just those with diabetes. If you do not properly look after the health of your mouth by neglecting your oral health routine, decay and gum disease may be a real threat. This is why we offer comprehensive check-ups so Professor Jim Ironside can assess the health, function and appearance of your smile and make recommendations for how best to go about treatment.
If you have diabetes and are unsure how best to enhance the health of your mouth, talk to our elite dental professional or an appropriately qualified general health practitioner for advice.
We utilise several preventive treatments to help all our patients maintain the health and function of their smiles:
By using these high-quality treatments we can help prevent the occurrence of gum disease so you can maintain the health of your smile.
Disclaimer: All Surgical Procedures Carry Risk. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.