Diabetes Fact Sheet: Oral health information your dental hygienist wants you to know
How your dental hygienist can help identify risk factors and get you the help you need.With the expanding waistlines of mainstream America, diabetes has become a hot topic. Being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle put many people at risk, while others are born with a predisposition. In general, people with diabetes have difficulty converting food to energy because the cells in the muscles, liver and fat don’t use insulin properly. And while this can wreak havoc in the body—cardiovascular disease, blindness, end stage renal disease—few people are aware of diabetes’ impact on the mouth.
In addition to gum disease, people with diabetes are at risk for burning mouth syndrome, cavities, dry mouth, fungal infections and bad breath. If you have diabetes and suffer from any of these conditions, ask your dental hygienist how she or he can help.
NUMBER OF AMERICANS UNAWARE THAT THEY HAVE DIABETES OR ARE AT RISK FOR DIABETES. 33 million
Diabetes can lead to poor oral health, but poor oral health can also make your diabetes more difficult to control. Infections in your mouth may cause your blood sugar to rise and require more insulin to keep it under control.
Type 1: Typically occurring in
children or young adults, this form of diabetes is caused by an
autoimmune dysfunction preventing the beta cells of the pancreas from
producing insulin.
Type 2: The body does not produce enough insulin or use it properly.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!
DIABETES AND DECAY? NO WAY!
Yes! High blood sugar that
accompanies diabetes can give the bacteria in dental plaque a greater
supply of sugars and starches, leading to the production of acid, which
increases the risk of both tooth decay and gum disease. To
help prevent damage to your
teeth and gums, ask your dental hygienist for tips on keeping your
mouth healthy. To get started you can:
• Keep your blood glucose as close
to normal as possible.
• Use dental floss at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent the build up of dental plaque on your teeth.
• Using a soft toothbrush, brush your teeth after each meal and snack.
• Use rinses as suggested by your
dental hygienist.
If you smoke, stop! Your
dental hygienist has resources to help you on your path to quitting.
