How To Care for Your Teeth When You Have Diabetes

Older couple discussing health concerns with a medical professional.Diabetes & Oral Health

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body processes sugar. It’s estimated that nearly 30 million Americans of all ages have prediabetes or diabetes, with many more that are undiagnosed. While diabetes isn’t an oral health condition, many of its symptoms concern one’s oral health. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how diabetes and oral health overlap, and what you can do to stay healthy. 

Signs of Diabetes

Among the most common symptoms of diabetes are:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • High blood sugar
  • Weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Cavities & tooth decay
  • Dry mouth
  • Gum disease
  • Impacted taste buds
  • Premature tooth eruption in children

 

How Diabetes & Gum Disease Are Related

Gum disease is a condition that progressively develops as plaque and bacteria grow under the gumline. Over time, the gums recede, leaving the teeth vulnerable to decay and infection. Poor oral hygiene, imbalanced diet, smoking, excessive alcohol use, dry mouth, and taking certain medications can all cause gum disease. The symptoms of gum disease overlap with diabetes, including swollen and bleeding gums, cavities and decay, and bad breath. In fact, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease. 

If you have diabetes, it’s important to not only brush and floss your teeth twice a day and follow a physician-recommended diet, but also visit your dentist right away to alleviate any of the oral health symptoms you might be experiencing as a result of your condition. At Atlantic Dental Partners, we’ll create a customized treatment plan just for you to address any specific concerns you might have to help you maintain a healthy smile. As part of our general dental services, we offer treatments specifically for gum disease and gum recession!

Affordable Preventive Dental Care in Jamaica Plain & Malden, MA

No matter your health concerns, our experienced staff at Atlantic Dental Partners is here to help you! We love seeing new patients. If you are new to our practice, visit our new patients page to learn more about us and access our forms.  Contact us to schedule an appointment!

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