Diabetic

Dental
Care
When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body
including your teeth and gums. The good news? Prevention is in your hands. Learn
what youre u! against, and then take charge o" your dental health.
Tooth decay (cavities)
#our mouth naturally contains many ty!es o" bacteria. When starches and sugars in
"ood and beverages interact with these bacteria, a sticky $lm known as !la%ue
"orms on your teeth. The acids in !la%ue attack the hard, outer sur"ace o" your teeth
&enamel'. This can lead to cavities. The higher your blood sugar level, the greater
the su!!ly o" sugars and starches and the more acid wearing away at your teeth.
Early gum disease (gingivitis)
Diabetes reduces your ability to $ght bacteria, which can cause more !la%ue to
build u! on your teeth. (" you dont remove !la%ue with regular brushing and
)ossing, itll harden under your gumline into a substance called tartar &calculus'.
The longer !la%ue and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the
gingiva the !art o" your gum around the base o" your teeth. (n time, your gums
become swollen and bleed easily. This is gingivitis.
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
Le"t untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious in"ection called !eriodontitis,
which destroys the so"t tissue and bone that su!!ort your teeth. *ventually,
!eriodontitis causes your gums to !ull away "rom your teeth and your teeth to
loosen and even "all out. Periodontitis tends to be more severe among !eo!le who
have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist in"ection and slows
healing. +n in"ection such as !eriodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to
rise, which makes your diabetes more di,cult to control. Preventing and treating
!eriodontitis can hel! im!rove blood sugar control.
Proper Dental Care
To hel! !revent damage to your teeth and gums, take diabetes and dental care
seriously-
Make a commitment to managing your diabetes
.onitor your blood sugar level, and "ollow your doctors instructions "or kee!ing
your blood sugar level within your target range. The better you control your blood
sugar level, the less likely you are to develo! gingivitis and other dental !roblems.
Brush your teeth at least tice a day
/rush in the morning, at night and, ideally, a"ter meals and snacks. 0se a so"t1
bristled toothbrush and tooth!aste that contains )uoride. +void vigorous or harsh
scrubbing, which can irritate your gums. Consider using an electric toothbrush,
es!ecially i" you have arthritis or other !roblems that make it di,cult to brush well.
!loss your teeth at least once a day
2lossing hel!s remove !la%ue between your teeth and under your gumline. (" you
have trouble getting )oss through your teeth, use the wa3ed variety. (" its hard to
mani!ulate the )oss, use a )oss holder.
"chedule regular dental cleanings
4isit your dentist at least twice a year "or !ro"essional cleanings. 5emind your
dentist that you have diabetes. To !revent low blood sugar during dental work, you
might want to eat be"ore your dental visits.
Take special precautions ith dental surgery
(" youre having dental surgery, make sure that your dentist consults with your
doctor ahead o" time. #ou may need to ad6ust your diabetes medications or take an
antibiotic to !revent in"ection.
#ook $or early signs o$ gum disease
5e!ort any signs o" gum disease including redness, swelling and bleeding gums
to your dentist. +lso mention any other signs and sym!toms such as dry mouth,
loose teeth or mouth !ain.
Don%t smoke
7moking increases the risk o" serious diabetes com!lications, including gum
disease. (" you smoke, ask your doctor about o!tions to hel! you %uit.
.anaging diabetes is a li"elong commitment, and that includes !ro!er dental care.
#our e8orts will be rewarded with a li"etime o" healthy teeth and gums.
Book &our Dental Appointment 'nline in Chennai( Pondicherry )
Coimbatore at Tamil *adu