Important Dental Care Tips for Diabetics

Important Dental Care Tips for Diabetics

Everyone should take excellent care of their teeth and gums to avoid having cavities or gingivitis.

Diabetics must be especially vigilant. Diabetic dental care is a must to prevent dental health complications.

An individual with diabetes mellitus tends to have more problems with inflammation in their body, including the oral cavity. To prevent problems, he or she must use certain dental care tips such as carefully monitoring their blood glucose levels.

Diabetic Dental Care Tips 1: Don’t Smoke Cigarettes

When someone smokes cigarettes, it will inflame the oral tissues inside the mouth. This leads to more tooth decay and gum disease. An individual with diabetes mellitus should quit smoking to protect his gums and teeth from the dangers of nicotine or other chemicals that cause inflammation.

2: Make Sure Dental Restorations Fit Properly

Developing a cut inside the mouth is dangerous for a diabetic. Due to poor blood circulation, it can lead to a longer healing time. When a dental restoration such as dentures or a fixed bridge is loose, the item can rub against the soft tissues of the mouth, causing a mouth sore.

3: Make Regular Dental Office Visits

A diabetic should make sure to visit a dental office every six month for a checkup to determine if there are any cavities that require treatment. A dentist can remove the plaque buildup from a patient’s teeth.

This helps to keep dangerous bacteria from entering the bloodstream where it can cause additional inflammation inside the body.

4: A Diabetic Should Brush His Teeth Frequently

While experts recommend that everyone brush their teeth twice a day, it is a better idea to perform this task after each meal and snack. Many diabetics have a problem with plaque development on their teeth. This problem is avoidable, however, by brushing frequently.

5: Use Dental Floss At Least Once a Day

A diabetic must use dental floss at least once a day. Flossing removes food debris that collects toward the bottom of the teeth. When the debris remains inside the mouth, it hardens into plaque. And plaque attracts bacteria which leads to halitosis and gingivitis.

6: Choose the Right Dental Care Equipment

To protect the mouth’s gums and soft tissues from damage, it is vital to select the right dental care equipment. A diabetic should choose a soft-bristled toothbrush. This is to avoid cutting the delicate gums and tissues. Also, a dentist might recommend using an oral irrigator to rinse away food debris and bacteria to prevent bad breath and tooth decay.

7: Check the Mouth for Abnormalities

Make sure to look in the mirror to check inside the mouth for abnormalities such as discolorations on the tongue, gums or roof of the mouth. When a diabetic has pain inside their mouth while chewing food, or if she experiences bleeding from her gums, it’s important to visit a dentist right away to determine if there is an infection.

8: Choose the Right Toothpaste and Mouth Rinses

Some diabetics have sensitive soft oral tissue. This can make it difficult to use some types of mouth rinses or toothpaste. A diabetic may need to try different brands to find the varieties that do not make the soft oral tissues of his mouth burn.