Diabetic related health problems can occur in your mouth. Understand what to look for and how to help prevent oral health issues if you have diabetes.
Diabetes affects more than 30 million people in the United States and one in four of them do not know they have it.1 It affects your body’s ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that allows your body to turn sugar into energy. Excess sugar in your blood can lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease and oral health issues. Oral health problems associated with diabetes. Diabetics are more likely to experience gum disease at an earlier age than those who do not have the disease. Periodontal disease can also change blood glucose levels, making diabetes more difficult to manage. Understand how too much blood sugar can cause pain and infections in your mouth causing problems for your: Teeth. Due to high sugar or glucose blood levels, harmful bacteria can grow which can cause bad breath and also cause a soft, sticky […]
How Diabetes Impacts Your Smile
Diabetes not only affects your overall health, it can impact your oral health. In the United States, more than 30 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, and about one-third of diabetics have a severe form of periodontal (gum) disease.1 Good oral health habits can help manage and control diabetes. Maintaining oral health is important Diabetics are more likely to experience gum disease at an earlier age then people who do not have the disease. Periodontal disease can change blood glucose levels, possibly increasing the time a body functions with a high blood sugar level. This impacts diabetics by putting them at an increased risk for diabetic complications.2 What you should know about diabetes Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. If not managed properly, the disease can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, blindness, amputations, nerve damage and kidney failure.1 Diabetics who receive […]
Three Reasons Why Visiting the Dentist Benefits Your Health
Visiting the dentist for regular dental checkups is an easy way to improve not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Like your regular physician, your dentist should be a part of your overall wellness regimen. Here are three reasons how the dentist can help you improve your well-being. Preventive dental care is important When you go to your dentist for a routine checkup, they (or a dental hygienist) will clean your teeth. Having your teeth cleaned removes tartar buildup that can only be removed by a dental professional, which prevents tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health issues that can result from excess tartar. In addition to a cleaning, the dentist will look for any oral health issues that require treatment. If dental issues go untreated, they can get worse, more painful, more expensive to treat and even lead to tooth loss. In most cases, the […]
Seven Diseases that Affect Your Mouth
During a routine dental exam, your dentist can help detect more than 120 health conditions, making regular dental visits essential to having good oral and overall health. Because your oral health is closely connected to your overall health, certain diseases might leave your teeth and gums with unexpected symptoms. Take a look at some of the effects common systemic diseases may have on your mouth. Diabetes The primary condition associated with diabetes is gum disease or periodontitis. Roughly a third of all those with diabetes have a severe form of gum disease 1 that can damage supporting bone structures around teeth, increasing the likelihood of loose teeth or tooth loss. Diabetes may also lead to oral thrush and dry mouth.2 Oral thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth that causes small white bumps to develop,3 and dry mouth is a lack of saliva that can lead to bad breath, tooth […]
The Link Between Oral and Overall Health
You may want to think twice before postponing your next dental visit. During a dental check-up, your dentist does more than simply clean your teeth and check for cavities. During a routine dental exam, your dentist can spot specific signs and symptoms of more than 120 diseases that may suggest serious health issues. Below are health conditions with oral signs and symptoms that can be identified through a dental exam: Anemia: A mouth with pale gums may lead a dentist to believe a patient has anemia, a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells circulating throughout its system. Another indicator is a tongue that has lost its normal bumpy texture and now appears smooth. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia: According to the American Dental Association, dentists may be the first health professionals to notice signs and symptoms of eating disorders. Frequent vomiting and nutrient deficiencies associated […]
