Gum Care
Living with diabetes is a lifelong process of
learning to listen to your body. It can be like living on
a seesaw; when you eat, your blood sugar level goes up, and
when you exercise or take insulin, it goes down. Living in
balance is learning to avoid the extreme highs and lows that
can lead to a need for medical intervention.
Your doctor has given you guidelines to keep your blood sugar
levels in the controlled range. The following information
can help you better understand a condition that is common
in diabetes - Gum problems. The more you know, the more you
can care for yourself
Diabetes can lead to infections of the gums and bones that
hold your teeth in place. Like all infections, gum infections
can cause blood sugar to rise, making the problem worse. Without
treatment, teeth may become loose and fall out.
To help prevent damage to your gums and teeth
See your dentist twice a year. Tell your dentist that you
have diabetes.
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
Keeping your blood sugar in a good range, daily brushing
and flossing of teeth, and regular dental checkups are the
best ways to prevent gum and teeth problems when you have
diabetes.
Other oral problems
Fungal infections
People with diabetes are more prone to fungal infections such
as thrush. If you tend to have high blood sugar levels or
take antibiotics often, you are even more likely to have this
problem. Thrush appears as white (or sometimes red) patches
in areas of your mouth. These can get sore or turn into ulcers.
Thrush affects moist spots that may be chafed or sore, for
example, under poorly fitting dentures. Smoking and wearing
dentures all day and night can increase the risk of thrush.
Quitting smoking and limiting the time dentures are worn can
reduce the risk of getting thrush. If you think you have a
fungal infection, talk to your dentist .
Dry mouth
Some people with diabetes complain of dry mouth. This may
be caused by medicines you take. You may notice a dry mouth
if your blood sugar levels are high. A dry mouth can increase
your risk of cavities, because there's less saliva to wash
away germs and take care of the acids they create. Dry mouth
can sometimes lead to other problems, such as salivary gland
infections.
If you have dry mouth, try drinking more fluids. You can
also try chewing sugar-free gum or sugar-free candy to help
keep the saliva flowing. you can also use saliva substitutes.
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