A Houston Cosmetic Dentist Talks to Diabetics about Preventing Periodontal Disease
Dale Brandt, a Houston Cosmetic Dentist here at the Medical Center Dental Group in Houston Texas, recently answered some questions on how patients with diabetes can prevent periodontal disease.
How do you help diabetics prevent periodontal disease?
We tell them that the most important thing they can do is to control their blood glucose. Healthy blood glucose levels decreases the risk of tooth and gum problems. Persons who have diabetes, particularly individuals whose blood sugar is not controlled, are at a much higher risk of gum disease than nondiabetics.
If I have gum disease, will this make my diabetes worse?
Houston cosmetic dentists such as myself have observed a reciprocal relationship between the two. Just as poorly controlled diabetes can affect the health of gums, diseased gums can make it harder to control your diabetes. Once you get an infection in your gums, it will take you longer to heal.
Can diabetes threaten the teeth themselves?
Yes. If a gum infection lasts for too long, you could end up losing teeth. Much of what you eat requires good teeth for chewing. It is extremely important for all of us to preserve our teeth. Because bone surrounding teeth can be damaged by infection, any dentures that a Houston cosmetic dentist gives you may still not fit properly. Dentures simply cannot be perfect substitutes for your natural teeth.
What can I do to prevent this from happening?
The most important thing next to controlling your blood glucose is to take good, responsible care of your teeth and gums. You need to use a soft-bristle brush between the gums and the teeth in a vibrating motion. Place the rubber tip on the toothbrush between the teeth and move it in a circle.
My gums have been bleeding recently. Does this mean I have gum disease?
It is a strong indication that you might. See a dentist immediately for a full dental checkup. Our office will check you for Periodontitis, oral cancer, and tooth decay. We will also take a full set of X-rays while you are here. You should also notify your Houston cosmetic dentist if you notice other abnormal changes in your mouth, such as patches of whitish-colored skin.
How often should I have a dental checkup?
You should have a checkup at least once every 6 months. Be sure to tell your Houston cosmetic dentist that you have diabetes. Ask him or her to show demonstrate all hygiene and self-care procedures so you can stay on top of your dental health at home. This will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Why should a diabetic come to your office for a dental examination?
If you have Type I or Type II diabetes, you are more susceptible to a number of oral health problems. You will need more dental care. You also will take longer to heal, so coming to a facility such as ours that provides both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services gives you access to better technology and more options for advanced treatment, such as LANAP.
How do you help diabetics prevent periodontal disease?
We tell them that the most important thing they can do is to control their blood glucose. Healthy blood glucose levels decreases the risk of tooth and gum problems. Persons who have diabetes, particularly individuals whose blood sugar is not controlled, are at a much higher risk of gum disease than nondiabetics.
If I have gum disease, will this make my diabetes worse?
Houston cosmetic dentists such as myself have observed a reciprocal relationship between the two. Just as poorly controlled diabetes can affect the health of gums, diseased gums can make it harder to control your diabetes. Once you get an infection in your gums, it will take you longer to heal.
Can diabetes threaten the teeth themselves?
Yes. If a gum infection lasts for too long, you could end up losing teeth. Much of what you eat requires good teeth for chewing. It is extremely important for all of us to preserve our teeth. Because bone surrounding teeth can be damaged by infection, any dentures that a Houston cosmetic dentist gives you may still not fit properly. Dentures simply cannot be perfect substitutes for your natural teeth.
What can I do to prevent this from happening?
The most important thing next to controlling your blood glucose is to take good, responsible care of your teeth and gums. You need to use a soft-bristle brush between the gums and the teeth in a vibrating motion. Place the rubber tip on the toothbrush between the teeth and move it in a circle.
My gums have been bleeding recently. Does this mean I have gum disease?
It is a strong indication that you might. See a dentist immediately for a full dental checkup. Our office will check you for Periodontitis, oral cancer, and tooth decay. We will also take a full set of X-rays while you are here. You should also notify your Houston cosmetic dentist if you notice other abnormal changes in your mouth, such as patches of whitish-colored skin.
How often should I have a dental checkup?
You should have a checkup at least once every 6 months. Be sure to tell your Houston cosmetic dentist that you have diabetes. Ask him or her to show demonstrate all hygiene and self-care procedures so you can stay on top of your dental health at home. This will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Why should a diabetic come to your office for a dental examination?
If you have Type I or Type II diabetes, you are more susceptible to a number of oral health problems. You will need more dental care. You also will take longer to heal, so coming to a facility such as ours that provides both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services gives you access to better technology and more options for advanced treatment, such as LANAP.
Labels: dental care for diabetics, LANAP, periodontal disease, periodontal disease and diabetes
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