Dental Patient Education Principles for Diabetics
It is our policy at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group to provide top-quality dental care in every aspect of professional services. One very important element that many people do not always immediately think about is patient education. People assume that dentistry is mostly intervention-based by nature. It only appears this way, however, because people wait until they have a problem before they see a Houston dentist or cosmetic dentistry specialist.
It doesn’t have to be this way, of course. You can do a lot to maintain optimal dental health simply by educating yourself in the basics of prevention and home care. This is especially true for diabetics due to the many challenges they face with oral health.
The following guidelines represent the basic elements of diabetic dental patient education which we provide to every person who walks through our doors.
More detailed information on each of these points may be obtained by contacting our office either through our Ask the Dentist forum or by calling 888-790-0309.
1. Oral Hygiene is foundational to diabetic oral health.
You need to understand that consistent, good oral hygiene will help prevent the majority of periodontal problems. If you have bleeding gums, this may be a sign of infection.
If you experience these symptoms, schedule a visit with your Houston dental hygienist and Houston dentist. Diabetics who notice bleeding gums or other unusual lesions in the mouth should see a dentist immediately.
2. Dental Checkups should be scheduled every 6 months.
Because diabetics may not even be unaware that they have gum disease, they need to see a Houston dental hygienist and a Houston dentist every 6 months.
If you have gone any longer than this, you need to setup and appointment with our team as soon as possible. Also, make certain that the dentist knows about your diabetes if this is the first time you are seeing us.
3. Diabetes Control is one of the most important aspects of patient dental education.
Patients with Type I or Type II diabetes need to be aware that any periodontal infection may make it more difficult to control diabetes. Conversely poor diabetic control may increase susceptibility to periodontal infection.
4. Diabetics need to know that they are more likely to get gum infections than nondiabetics. These infections may take longer to heal. Persistent infection may lead to the loss of teeth.
If you are diabetic and have any form of gum disease, or if you even suspect you may have a mouth infection, call our office and schedule an appointment immediately.
5. Natural Dentition is another important aspect of dental patient education.
Because of the importance of proper diet in helping control diabetes, you want to do everything you can to keep your existing teeth. You may have problems wearing dentures, so call us and make an appointment if you have not had a thorough dental examination in the past 6 months.
Remember that the goal here is to stay on top of your diabetes not just by staying on top of the disease, but also by staying on top of things like oral health that can affect its management.
It doesn’t have to be this way, of course. You can do a lot to maintain optimal dental health simply by educating yourself in the basics of prevention and home care. This is especially true for diabetics due to the many challenges they face with oral health.
The following guidelines represent the basic elements of diabetic dental patient education which we provide to every person who walks through our doors.
More detailed information on each of these points may be obtained by contacting our office either through our Ask the Dentist forum or by calling 888-790-0309.
1. Oral Hygiene is foundational to diabetic oral health.
You need to understand that consistent, good oral hygiene will help prevent the majority of periodontal problems. If you have bleeding gums, this may be a sign of infection.
If you experience these symptoms, schedule a visit with your Houston dental hygienist and Houston dentist. Diabetics who notice bleeding gums or other unusual lesions in the mouth should see a dentist immediately.
2. Dental Checkups should be scheduled every 6 months.
Because diabetics may not even be unaware that they have gum disease, they need to see a Houston dental hygienist and a Houston dentist every 6 months.
If you have gone any longer than this, you need to setup and appointment with our team as soon as possible. Also, make certain that the dentist knows about your diabetes if this is the first time you are seeing us.
3. Diabetes Control is one of the most important aspects of patient dental education.
Patients with Type I or Type II diabetes need to be aware that any periodontal infection may make it more difficult to control diabetes. Conversely poor diabetic control may increase susceptibility to periodontal infection.
4. Diabetics need to know that they are more likely to get gum infections than nondiabetics. These infections may take longer to heal. Persistent infection may lead to the loss of teeth.
If you are diabetic and have any form of gum disease, or if you even suspect you may have a mouth infection, call our office and schedule an appointment immediately.
5. Natural Dentition is another important aspect of dental patient education.
Because of the importance of proper diet in helping control diabetes, you want to do everything you can to keep your existing teeth. You may have problems wearing dentures, so call us and make an appointment if you have not had a thorough dental examination in the past 6 months.
Remember that the goal here is to stay on top of your diabetes not just by staying on top of the disease, but also by staying on top of things like oral health that can affect its management.
posted by Dental Expert at
1:46 AM
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