At Island Dental Associates we want all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene so that they avoid the complications that can arise due to periodontal disease. However, keeping your teeth and gums healthy is especially important if you are diabetic.
If you have diabetes, it is essential that you practice good dental hygiene. Diabetics have a higher risk of periodontal disease. Other dental issues are also more common in diabetics. Good dental hygiene can help you common dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and thrush. Regular check-ups are also recommended.
If you have diabetes, you need to practice proper dental hygiene. Diabetics are at a higher risk for gum disease and other mouth infections. Periodontal disease is damaging to gums and bones and can lead to painful chewing problems. Periodontal disease causes people to lose teeth. This disease of the gums can also make your glucose levels change which is why you should care for your mouth and see a dentist on a regular basis.
Here are some things we recommend you do to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible…
1. Use Mouthwash
Using mouthwash on a daily basis is a great way to maintain a healthy mouth. Mouthwash will help pervent periodontal disease. It kills bacteria in your mouth and improves your overall mouth health. Another benefit to using mouthwash is that it will keep your breath fresh. Even if you have a beautiful smile, having bad breath will reduce your smiles’ positive impact.
2. Avoid Dry Mouth
Saliva is a natural defense against cavity causing bacteria as well as periodontal disease. Some people suffer from dry mouth due to certain medication side effects and others due to more serious problems. There are a number of products available to help you keep saliva production going or help you replace the saliva altogether.
3. Brushing and Flossing
This is failry obvious and everybody knows since they were a child how important it is to properly clean your teeth every day. However, how many of you are actually brushing and flossing as much as recommended? Be honest!
4. Visiting Your Dentist
For diabetics this is critical. You simply MUST have your teeth and gums professionally treated a frequenlty as possible. As a diabetic you are twice as likely to develop gum disease becasue of your decreased ability to fight off bacterial growth.
At Island Dental Associates we are here to help you take care of your teeth and gums. We will do everything we can to give you the smile you always wanted and to keep you as healthy as possible.
If you or a loved one is suffering from diabetes please call us today at our Franklin Square office at (516) 565-6565 for a free consultation with our board certified periodontist.
