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 Dale Brandt, a renowned Houston Cosmetic Dentist practicing here at the Medical Center Dental Group in Houston Texas, recently answered a number of questions regarding patients with diabetes and how they can best prevent periodontal disease.
How do you help diabetics prevent periodontal disease?
We tell them that the most important preventative step they can take is to control their blood sugar. Healthy blood glucose levels decrease the risk of tooth and gum problems. Persons who have Type I or Type II diabetes, particularly individuals whose blood sugar is not controlled, are at a much higher risk of Periodontitis than are nondiabetics.
If I have gum disease, will this make worsen the condition of my diabetes?
Yes. Houston cosmetic dentists have concluded that a reciprocal relationship exists between the two. Just as poorly managed diabetes can affect the periodontal health, diseased gums can make it more difficult to control your diabetes. After you get an infection in your gums, it takes you longer to heal.
Can diabetes actually cause me to lose my teeth?
Yes. If a periodontal infection persists for too long, you very well could wind up losing some teeth. Almost everything you eat requires good teeth for chewing. It is essential for each and every one of us to preserve our teeth. Because the bone surrounding teeth can be damaged by infection, any dentures that a Houston cosmetic dentist gives you may still not fit well. Dentures simply are never perfect substitutes for natural teeth.
What can I do to prevent this from happening?
The most important thing you can do, aside from controlling your blood glucose, is to take good, responsible care of your teeth and gums. You need to brush with a soft-bristle brush between the gums and the teeth in a vibrating motion. Use the rubber tip on the toothbrush between the teeth and move it in a circle.
My gums have recently started bleeding. Does this mean I have periodontal disease?
It is a very strong indicator that you might. See a dentist as soon as possible for a full dental checkup. Our office will check you for Periodontitis, oral cancer, and tooth decay. We also take a full set of X-rays when you come in. You must notify your Houston cosmetic dentist if you notice other abnormal problems in your mouth, such as whitish-colored skin patches.
How often do I need a dental checkup?
You need to schedule a checkup at least once every 6 months. Be certain that you tell your Houston cosmetic dentist that you have diabetes. Ask him or her to demonstrate all hygiene and self-care procedures that you need to know to 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 suffer from Type I or Type II diabetes, you are more vulnerable to a number of oral health problems. You will need more aggressive dental care. You also will also need longer healing time, so coming to a facility such as ours that can give you both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services also provides you with access to better technology and more advanced treatment options, such as LANAP.
Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont Midland and Houston, Texas to see Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth O’Sullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic dentistry services.
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