5 Oral Health Tips for Diabetics

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Did you know that diabetes can influence the condition of your mouth? Diabetes increases your risk for mouth infections like dry mouth, oral thrush and gum disease. Fortunately, all these issues are still escapable, as long as you regularly follow these five tips:

– Control your blood sugar. Your family doctor has probably already taught you how to control your blood glucose efficiently. This may mean taking medication or insulin shots as well as watching what you eat. When you control your blood glucose, your risk of symptoms like irritated gums and sugar filled saliva that can lead to infection is greatly reduced.

– Brush twice and floss once every day. If you allow sugar and other food particles to hang out in your mouth, it will irritate your gums and feed plaque, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and dry mouth. That’s why it’s especially important to clear away that plaque consistently.

– Visit Dr. Nandhini Bogavelli at least twice a year for a cleaning and exam. Be sure to include the fact that you have diabetes when you fill out medical records or tell us verbally so we can treat your teeth accordingly.

– Tell Pristine Smiles if your dentures are irritating your gums or if your gums feel sore. This may be a sign that your blood glucose is causing blood to rush to your gum tissue. Dr. Nandhini Bogavelli can recommend the right course of treatment.

– If you smoke, make plans to quit as soon as possible. Smoking deeply increases the likelihood that you will get gum disease and when you combine that with diabetes, you place your oral health at a tremendous risk.

It helps to inspect your mouth regularly for any signs of dental issues. If you spot a problem or are simply ready for a dental checkup, you can call us in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania at 717-790-2184 to book an appointment. Give us a call today!

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