Diabetes and Dental Health Connection

Diabetes and common oral health problems

The most common oral health problems affecting people with diabetes are:

Periodontal (gum) disease
Gum abscesses
Poor healing of oral wounds
Tooth decay
Fungal infections, such as thrush (also known as candidiasis)
Lichen planus (an inflammatory, autoimmune skin condition)
Mouth ulcers
taste disturbances
A dry, burning mouth due to low saliva levels.

Keep Your Mouth Healthy and Happy

Treating gum disease may be able to help lower your blood sugar over time.

Regular dental visits are important to prevent problems. Follow your diabetes care schedule. Keep regular dental visits for professional cleanings, X-rays, and check-ups. Ask your dentist how often you should have your teeth checked.

Here are a few more important tips:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss your teeth at least once a day. Use a water flosser and mouthwash.
Tell your dentist if you have diabetes.
If your gums are red, swollen, or bleed easily, see your dentist. These may be signs of gum disease. Other signs include dry mouth, loose teeth, or mouth pain.
Quit Smoking; as smoking increases your risk of gum disease and can worsen your diabetes.
Follow your doctor’s advice about diet and medication to keep your blood glucose levels as close to the target levels as possible.
Avoid having a dry mouth – drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow.

Keep that smile on your face, though! By managing your diabetes, you manage not only your blood sugar but also help to prevent gum disease and other infections in your mouth.

DO MY FILLINGS NEED REPLACEMENT?

Fillings don’t last forever. Sometimes they need replacement due to regular wear and tear. While fillings protect your teeth from damage and decay, you will lose that protection when your filling wears down or falls out and without that protective layer, your tooth will be exposed to harmful bacteria and decay. So it’s important to recognize the signs that your tooth filling needs replacement to prevent further dental problems down the road.

Why Does My Filling Need to Be Replaced?

There are several reasons why your filling may need to be replaced over time. Most often, it is the result of daily wear and tears. As you chew, your filling is placed under a great deal of pressure. Over time, it can cause it to crack, leak, or fall out. If your filling no longer protects your tooth as it should, it can cause bacteria and tiny food particles to become trapped underneath it. You’ll need to have the filling replaced to prevent new decay.

What Affects The Longevity of My Fillings?

Outside of the initial how well your filling was placed by the dentist is one of the most significant determining factors. Secondly, good home care is critical as bacteria that sit on your tooth can lead to cavities forming near the filling edge.

Following these simple at-home routines can help keep your fillings doing their job for the long haul:

Brush twice a day.
Floss once a day.
Use an electric toothbrush for the best plaque removal.
Fluoride mouthwash rinse.

Signs that your tooth filling needs replacement:

Staining around your filling’s margins.
Open space between the filling margin and your tooth.
Food Lodgement in your filling.
Sensitivity – this could be too hot, cold, or biting pressure.
X-rays can also be a way to tell if your filling is leaking.
Cracks or fracture lines in your fillings.

When Doubt visit your Dentist

While having an old filling replaced may sound dreadful to you, it’s a simple, one-appointment process. You will likely be numbed in this area, so you are comfortable when the dentist removes your broken-down filling. Once the filling has been removed, the tooth is prepared to receive the new filling. Your dentist places your new filling, adjusts the height to ensure your bite is correct, and away you go!

Have you noticed any of the above signs in your teeth? Has it been a while since you have seen a dentist? Remember that most big problems start as minor ones pushed off for too long. Now is a great time to have your dental health evaluated. Visit Teeth Care Centre. feature-image_hu06803c77b1151109541c75d14266dc7d_4131186_1200x1200_fill_q100_box_smart1

Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis, also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.

What Causes Periodontitis?

Bacteria in the mouth infect tissue surrounding the tooth, causing inflammation around the tooth leading to periodontal disease. When bacteria stay on the teeth long enough, they form a film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar, also called calculus. Tartar build-up can spread below the gum line, which makes the teeth harder to clean. Then, only a dental health professional can remove the tartar and stop the periodontal disease process.

Other Factors can contribute to periodontal disease. These include:

Smoking
Diabetes
Poor oral hygiene
Stress
Heredity
Crooked teeth
Underlying immune-deficiencies—e.g., AIDS
Fillings that have become defective
Taking medications that cause dry mouth
Bridges that no longer fit properly
Female hormonal changes, such as with pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives

Symptoms:

Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fit snugly around teeth. Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include:

Swollen or puffy gums.
Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums.
Gums that feel tender when touched.
Gums that bleed easily.
Pink-tinged toothbrush after brushing.
Spitting out blood when brushing or flossing your teeth.
Bad breath.
Pus between your teeth and gums.
Loose teeth or loss of teeth.
Painful chewing.
New spaces developing between your teeth.
Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal.
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

When to see a dentist?

Follow your dentist’s recommended schedule for regular check-ups. If you notice any symptoms of periodontitis, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage from periodontitis.

We at Teeth Care Centre have the best Periodontist in Ahmedabad who are well experienced and aim to provide quality treatments. We use equipment from most eminent brands which render excellent results. We even perform Laser using BIOLASE which is one of the best brands in the world.