How your dentist can help you control diabetes

If you have type-2 diabetes, you have all the more reason to take good care of your teeth and gums by flossing and brushing regularly and getting regular dental checkups. It is also important to undergo “scaling” and “root planing” (non-surgical forms of “deep-cleaning” teeth above and below the gums) as needed.

According to recent research:

By treating and eliminating oral bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, people with type-2 diabetes can better manage their blood glucose levels.
Previous research has shown that oral bacteria may play an important role in diabetes.
Those with type-2 diabetes are at greater risk of developing gum disease, and gum disease may increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

Type-2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 90-95 percent of all cases among 30.3 million diabetics in the United States. The incidence increases with age – right along with the incidence of gum disease. Although gum disease is caused by oral bacteria, other factors can increase the risk, severity, and speed of their development.

These factors include:

Disease
Medications
Smoking
Poorly fitting bridges
Defective restorations
Poor diet
Pregnancy
Impacted food
Poor oral hygiene bad habits.

Gum disease is called the 6th complication of diabetes, so if you or someone you love is diabetic, regular oral hygiene visits must be at the top of your to-do list.

You can still achieve good oral health, though, by following your dentist’s advice and practicing preventive hygiene. If you are new to the area and haven’t found the right dentist in Batavia, NY yet for your family, we invite you to call Batavia Family Dental to set up an appointment at 6 Batavia City Centre.

Yours in dental health,
Dr. Steve Sokolovskiy