Diabetes and Your Dental Health # 1
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discusses how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health.
Gum Disease
Notice some bleeding when you brush or floss? That may be an early sign of gum disease. If it becomes more severe, the bone that supports your teeth can break down, leading to tooth loss. Early gum disease can be reversed with proper brushing, flossing, and diet. Research has shown gum disease can worsen if your blood sugar is not under control, so do your best to keep it in check.
Dry Mouth
Studies have found people with diabetes have less saliva, so you might find yourself feeling parched or extra thirsty. (Medications and higher blood sugar levels are also causes.) Fight dry mouth by drinking water. You can also chew sugarless gum and eat healthy, crunchy foods to get saliva flowing. This is especially important because extra sugar in your saliva, combined with less saliva to wash away leftover food, can lead to cavities.
To read all ‘5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth’ visit MouthHealthy.org.
Drs. Leaman, Setnicar & Piacsek, S.C.
James Leaman DDS, Joseph Setnicar DDS, Stacie Piacsek DDS
820 Summit Avenue
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
262-567-4466