HEALTH CONDITIONS: Oral Health
Preserving the healthy smile of your loved one with diabetes
BY:MARGARET FARLEY STEELE
Tooth decay, gum disease and fungal infections in the mouth are common occurrences for people with diabetes. To avoid these and other dental disorders, maintaining good oral hygiene and good control of blood glucose levels is essential.
High glucose levels in saliva create a breeding ground for bacteria and thus the buildup of decay-producing plaque. But brushing twice daily and flossing once a day will help remove the harmful plaque before it causes damage.
Periodontal disease—gum infections that can lead to tooth loss—occurs more often and more severely among people whose blood sugar is not controlled, reports the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).
There are two fungal infections in the mouth to watch out for in particular. First, is oral candidiasis, which can affect people with dentures. The other is thrush, which produces white or red patches in the mouth that may be painful. Thrush also sometimes causes swallowing difficulty.
To preserve the healthy smile of the person you care for, JADA recommends regular dental checkups and screenings for periodontal diseases, which will identify dental problems early on when they are more easily treated. Also, contact the dentist immediately if you notice any of the following:
Gums bleeding easily
Red, swollen or tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Pus between the teeth and gums when gums are pressed
Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
Any change in the way the teeth fit together
Any change in the fit of partial dentures
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