How Diabetes can Take a Negative Toll on Your Oral Health?

How Diabetes Affects Your Teeth and Gums—And What You Can Do About It

Diabetes can Take a Negative Toll on Your Oral Health. Did you know that 29.1 million people living in the United States have diabetes? That’s 9.3% of the population. Some of the symptoms of diabetes include being excessively thirsty or have to urinate a lot.

Weight loss and fatigue are other common symptoms. Also, diabetes can cause you to lose consciousness if your blood sugar falls too low. But, did you know that if diabetes is left untreated, it can take a toll on your mouth as well. Here's how:

• You may have less saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry. (Dry mouth is also caused by certain medications.)
• Because saliva protects your teeth, you’re also at a higher risk of cavities.
• Gums may become inflamed and bleed often (gingivitis).
• You may have problems tasting food.
• You may experience delayed wound healing.
• Also, you may be susceptible to infections inside of your mouth.
• For children with diabetes, teeth may erupt at an age earlier than is typical.

People with Diabetes Are More Prone to Gum Disease

All people have more tiny bacteria living in their mouth now than there are people on this planet. If they make their home in your gums, you can end up with periodontal disease. This chronic, inflammatory disease can destroy your gums, all the tissues holding your teeth and even your bones.Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. Especially with increasing age, poor blood sugar control increases the risk for gum problems.  In fact, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for gum problems because of poor blood sugar control. As with all infections, serious gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise.

This makes diabetes harder to control because you are more susceptible to infections and are less able to fight the bacteria invading the gums. One of the best ways to fight the negative effects of diabetes is stay ahead of it.Regular dental visits are important. Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing the progression of the disease. Make an appointment today.

We truly enjoy seeing the effect that a bright smile has on our patient’s lives. We believe that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of our goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide you with the best tools to maintain your dental health at its optimum.

Miami Smile Dental a high-tech dental practice in Coral Gables, Florida that encompasses all factors of dentistry including dental implant restoration, general dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, and teeth whitening.

Dentist, Dr. Ali Yazback specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental crowns, dental bridges, dental cleanings, and restorative dentistry.

Dr. Yazback truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum.

Please call Miami Smile Dental to schedule an appointment.

Find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Our dentist serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.