Your Periodontist in Wayland Can Help Battle Diabetes!

Did you know that November is National Diabetes Awareness Month? November 14th is World Diabetes Day. With these two major periods of time among us, your dental team shouldn’t be able to simply ignore the fact that 29.1 million people living in the United States alone have diabetes. Why? Diabetes can be directly correlated to oral health.

In honor of Dr. Fredrick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin back in 1921, dentists and health practitioners alike draw awareness on his birthday (November 14^th) to try to halt the progress of the disease. Your periodontist in Wayland is here to shed light on the correlation between oral health and diabetes.

Your Dentist Can See the Connection Between Oral Health and Diabetes

The warning signs of diabetes can be spotted throughout your whole body—and especially within your mouth. When patients choose to ignore these warning signs of advancing diabetes, they may also experience problems with their oral health, like:

• Chronic dry mouth.
• Tend to have more frequent cavities because of the lack of saliva in the mouth.
• Find oral lacerations and wounds heal noticeably slower than normal.
• Are more susceptible to infections inside the mouth.
• Become more at risk for gum disease and tooth loss.

Diabetics Need to See the Dentist More Often

The truth is that every patient is susceptible to developing gum disease if they don’t care for their teeth and gums like they’re supposed to. Diabetic patients, on the other hand, have a much higher risk of quickly developing advanced gum disease (periodontal disease).

This chronic, inflammatory disease can destroy gums and the tissues that can hold your teeth in their permanent places. Diabetes causes the body’s blood sugar control to weaken. The immune system is compromised, making it harder to fight the bacteria invading the gums. Periodontal disease and diabetes can become a vicious cycle of declining health.

Your Dentist Can Help Diabetics Develop a Dental Plan

Regular dental visits with your dentist are critical to maintaining good health! It’s proven that treating gum disease can improve blood sugar levels and slow down the progression of gum disease before it advances to periodontal disease.

Here are a few things you can do with the help of your dentist to improve your health if you have diabetes:

• Control your blood sugar levels by consistently using your medications as directed.
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
• Exercise more often.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol products.
• If you have dental prosthetics, clean them daily.
• Practice excellent at-home dental hygiene, remembering daily flossing is essential.
• Schedule your dental checkups and cleanings.

Are you unsure about your diabetic status? It may be time to visit your primary physician to be tested. If you already have diabetes and are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, ask your dentist about Wayland periodontic treatment to restore and maintain good oral health.

About Our Office

Every dentist takes the threat of gum disease and diabetes seriously, but many don’t have the extensive training that Dr. Putt and Dr. Dines have. When faced with these serious dental issues, our periodontist and endodontist can help you not only revitalize your oral health with our advanced technology and expertise, but we can help you maintain it. If you have any questions, feel free to call our local office.