This two-part article series provides an in-depth look at the relationship between diabetes and oral health and how Rutherford residents living with this condition can better protect their teeth and gums.
There is a clear link between diabetes and the health of your teeth and gums. More specifically, people living with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease and vice versa. Fortunately, there are things Rutherford residents living with this condition can do to protect their smiles against the ravages of this disease and we shall be speaking to a dental implants professional in New Jersey about these measures in this two-part article series. First, however, let’s take a look at the oral health risks that come hand-in-hand with being a diabetic...
Diabetes and Oral Health Risks
If you are currently living with diabetes, you may find yourself at a greater risk of the following oral health issues:
Dry mouth: A condition characterized by the slowed production of saliva. This is problematic because your saliva plays an integral role in protecting your teeth and gums from bacteria.
Fungal infections: For example, thrush, which is terribly uncomfortable, both physically and in social situations.
Cavities: Soft holes in the dental enamel of your teeth caused by the acidic wastes produced oral bacteria. If left unfilled, these holes can become enlarged by further erosion, eventually forming a pathway into the “nerve” of the tooth at which stage infection can set in. “Untreated cavities can necessitate new teeth,” says a Rutherford dental professional.
Slowed healing: “People with diabetes sometimes tend to take a longer time to heal, which can lead to a problem after dental surgery,” explains a dental implants professional in New Jersey. “This can cause complications and a greater risk of post-operative infection. Dental implant patients with diabetes need to be watched a little more closely in the months following the placement of their new teeth.”
In spite of these oral health problems, there are steps that Rutherford residents living with diabetes can take to minimize the risk of permanent damage to their smiles.
The Link Between Diabetes and Gum Disease
“One of the greatest problems with diabetes is that it renders patients more vulnerable to gum disease and less able to fight off the kind of bacterial infections that lead to it,” explains a new teeth Professionals in Rutherford NJ. “These patients might initially experience gingivitis, which is the beginning stage of gum disease with symptoms that might include swollen, inflamed and spongy gums that easily tear and bleed when brushed or flossed. If allowed to progress, however, the infection can migrate deep down into the soft tissue surrounding the tooth roots, allowing deep pockets of bacteria and bacterial wastes to accumulate.”
“This infection doesn’t only cause tooth decay, it also destroys the ligaments and bone tissue that support the teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss. Many of the patients we treat suffer from gum disease and a significant number of these patients are also diabetic,” says the dental implants professional in New Jersey.
So, how can gum disease be treated and what can Rutherford residents living with diabetes do to mitigate the impact of this terrible disease on the health of their teeth and gums?