Silvers Family Dental Care

Life with Diabetes: Your Dental Care Needs

May 31, 2016 @ 03:20 PM — by Dr. Silvers
Tagged with: General Dentistry Gum Disease Tooth Decay

Here at Silvers Family Dental Care, we pride ourselves on helping people in and around Harrisburg with their dental health needs. This means focusing on comprehensive general dentistry services that improve the health and appearance of the gums and teeth.

All treatments are tailored to the needs of each patient, which includes a careful focus on general wellness. With that in mind, let's consider how diabetes can affect dental wellness and what diabetics should keep in mind with regard to their overall dental health.

Diabetics Face Many Health Challenges

People who suffer from diabetes face a whole host of health issues, including problems with hypertension, joint trouble, and even vision loss later in life. Thankfully there are ways to address all of these matters and help ensure lasting health and wellness in the process.

What many people do not realize is that diabetes can also cause a few dental health issues. Knowing the challenges can help prevent serious problems with wellness down the road.

Increased Risk of Gum Disease

People with diabetes often run a higher risk of infection. That being the case, it should come as no surprise that people who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from gum disease (aka periodontitis). This bacterial infection of the gum has three stages:

At later stages of gum disease, it's possible for people to suffer from gum recession, tooth decay below the gumline, loose teeth, and the spread of infection to other structures of the mouth.

Problems with Oral Thrush

Since people with diabetes are more prone to infection, we should also note that diabetics may also face issues with oral thrush. Oral thrush is a type of fungal infection that an affect the insides of the mouth as well as the lips. This can result in unsightly oral lesions.

Greater Problems with Tooth Decay

Given issues with blood sugar, many diabetics often face higher instances of cavities as well as increased progression of tooth decay. This can be very troublesome, especially when paired with issues with gum disease. Root canal infections and other serious problems may be the result.

Dry Mouth Is More Common

Dry mouth can be annoying, making it difficult to speak and to eat, not to mention making bad breath worse. Yet dry mouth can also exacerbate gum disease and tooth decay, which can make a bad situation far worse.

Tooth Loss Is More Likely

With all of the above issues related to diabetes, we ought to note that diabetics have a higher risk of suffering from tooth loss than people who are non-diabetics.

Treatments for Dental Problems Related to Diabetes

It's important that diabetics monitor their blood sugar levels and take medications as directed by their doctor. It's also important that diabetics see their dentists regularly for checkups and routine maintenance. Catching and fixing problems sooner rather than later is always best. This may mean antiseptic medications to control gum disease, or it could mean dental restorations to fix damaged teeth.

Tips for Preventing Dental Problems

In order to prevent dental problems, consider the following oral hygiene tips:

Speak with the Team at Silvers Family Dental Care

For more information about dentistry that addresses serious problems related to diabetes, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. The team at Silvers Family Dental Care will closely with you to improve your overall wellness.