Diabetes, Your Teeth, And Gums

Diabetes, Your Teeth, And Gums
By Vivian L. Brennan

Diabetes can lead to many complications, some of them very
severe. This means that the effect that diabetes has on your
teeth can often be completely overlooked. Diabetics are at a
higher risk for periodontal disease (diseases of the mouth) than
most people.

Having high blood sugar means that your teeth and gums are at a
higher risk, because germs multiply in high-sugar environments.
This means that the first step to protecting your teeth is to
lower your blood sugar and to maintain a constant blood sugar
level. The difficulty is that if you already have some gum
disease, it can be another stress that leads to high blood sugar
levels. This can be an overwhelming cycle, but luckily you can
stop it.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is present
when your gums are puffy and red, and your gums can bleed when
you brush your teeth or use other dental care. Gum disease,
although little more than a painful inconvenience, can progress
until you lose your teeth. This makes it even more difficult to
maintain a healthy diet needed by diabetics.

The first step to taking care of your oral health is to monitor
and control your blood sugar. You will also want to tell your
dentist that you have diabetes. Your dentist will be able to
help you notice the initial signs of gingivitis, which can be
hard to distinguish. Visiting the dentist two times a year is a
good idea.

Oral hygiene, like we all know, begins with brushing your teeth
regularly, particularly after sweet snacks and desserts. You can
also take care of your mouth by watching what you put in your
mouth: chewing sugar-free gum can also help reduce your risk of
gum disease. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water,
to maintain a healthy saliva flow in your mouth. Smoking is a
bad habit that, among other diseases, will promote gum disease.
Quit smoking immediately, because it has terrible effects on
most diabetic complications.

Of course, brushing our teeth is not quite enough. Flossing
daily should become part of your routine. Some dentists
recommend using a water-pik to clean your teeth as well. Ask
your dentist about what would be best for you. Certain
mouthwashes are clinically proven to help prevent gingivitis:
the simple 10 second act of gargling could save your teeth for
the future!

Preventing gum disease is about taking care of yourself now to
avoid pain in the future. Gum disease can lead to hyperglycemia,
or even acidosis in severe cases. You want to avoid these
symptoms, because they will make it even harder for you to
control your blood sugar later. Remember: if you maintain a
healthy diet, good oral hygiene, and helpful habits, you will
save yourself time, money, and pain. You can have and keep the
perfect smile!

About the Author: For more information on diabetes, visit
http://www.theguideto-diabetes.com/complications/. This site has
information on how to prevent many kinds of diabetes-related
complications.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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