Linking Oral Hygiene and Diabetes: The Essentials
Did you know that patients with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease? Many of us are not aware of the links between our oral hygiene maintenance and diabetes. County Dental at Poughkeepsie, NY strives to provide you with the facts about diabetes and your dental health.
The Facts
If you have diabetes, your body is more susceptible to bacterial infection. This also means a decreased ability to fight germs that invade the gums. The increased amount of sugars in the mouths of people with diabetes, provides a more hospitable environment for hostile bacteria. This can lead to periodontal disease, and even tooth loss if you do not have good oral hygiene habits.
Blood Glucose & Your Smile
Our doctors here at County Dental at Poughkeepsie, NY believe that controlling your blood glucose level is key to keeping periodontitis at bay. High and fluctuating blood glucose levels increase the risk of periodontal disease. This will also make periodontal infections, along with other infections, harder to heal. Keeping on top of your blood glucose level, along with good oral hygiene practices can prevent against harmful bacterial infections.
Insulin and Your Gums
Healthy gums are essential to a healthy smile. It’s important to brush and floss regularly to prevent gingivitis, which could lead to the more serious periodontal disease. A gum infection, such as periodontal disease, can also impact insulin needs in people with diabetes. When an infection is rampant, insulin requirements are increased. If periodontal disease is treated and gingival inflammation is eliminated, these insulin needs often decrease.
Effecting Your Dentures
Diabetes can also effect your dentures. They may become uncomfortable due to increased sensitivity of the gums. Patients wearing complete dentures should schedule an appointment with the Poughkeepsie, NY office once a year to examine all soft tissue areas. Partial dentures require attention to hygiene just like real teeth. They need to be removed and cleaned daily to prevent harmful bacteria build up. Wearing dentures continuously and failing to take the proper precautions can promote the growth of mouth fungus. This can eventually lead to thrush, which is an oral yeast infection. Another option for patients is to consider implants to avoid the hassle of dentures. If you have any questions about implants, contact the County Dental at Poughkeepsie, NY office to hear all about our specialty services.
Prevention
It is extremely important that patients with diabetes keep good oral habits. Brush and floss twice daily to ensure that you keep plaque from building up in your mouth. Patients with diabetes must be especially attentive to routine hygiene maintenance. Although brushing and flossing twice a day is extremely important, it does not replace the deeper cleaning performed by one our Poughkeepsie, NY hygienists. Be sure to contact your County Dental at Poughkeepsie, NY office to schedule your cleaning. It may be wise to have it your next one scheduled at the end of the hygiene visit, to ensure that there is no lapse in your cleaning schedule.
Customized patient care is the highest priority at County Dental at Poughkeepsie, NY. Whatever your dental care needs may be, our front office staff, dentists and hygienists will provide you with the knowledge and care you need to achieve and maintain a healthy smile.
Contact us today at (845) 437-4380 or online.
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