You may be wondering what in the world the connection between diabetes and oral health might be. Diabetes deals with glucose levels and diet, right?
In fact, people living with diabetes are at a higher risk for periodontal disease and developing dental cavities.
How does diabetes affect your mouth?
Diabetes itself puts people at higher risk for poor oral health, but it is also the medications that may increase the risk. Those with diabetes sometimes are forced to postpone a dental treatment to make sure their glucose levels are ready for a procedure. All of these factors combined make it more difficult to be consistent with oral healthcare.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is the most advanced stage of gum disease. At this stage of gum disease, there may be some loss of tissue and bone, which leads to teeth becoming loose and moving around. This also results in pain, bad breath, and even tooth loss in serious cases. Read more about gum disease by clicking here!
How can you make sure your oral health is in check?
Maintain a stable at-home dental hygiene routine- brush twice a day, and don’t forget to floss
Every six months, visit the dentist for a cleaning and evaluate your dental care plan
Work towards quitting smoking, if you smoke
Take note of your sugar intake in both food and drinks
According to Brush Pediatric Dentistry, these are some of the factors that can make children more prone to developing gum disease.
Poor oral hygiene habits at home and their novice brushing and flossing abilities
Various autoimmune diseases and other illnesses (weakened immune system)
Certain medications can deplete saliva, creating an ideal haven for bacteria to grow inside a dry mouth
Unhealthy diets full of sugars and starches
Various hormonal changes that can occur throughout puberty
Genetics
Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
How to Prevent it
There are many steps you can take to help your child develop healthy habits so that they don’t develop gum disease. Here are some of our tips!
Create an oral hygiene routine. Ensure that your child is brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, if they’re old enough, on a regular basis.
Organize a healthy eating routine that limits sugars, and encourage them to drink water frequently.
Take them to their six month dental cleanings regularly.
Keep an eye out for early signs of gingivitis.
Treatment for Gum Disease
If your child developed gum disease, it’s important to know what comes next. First off, take a step back and calm down. So many people deal with gum disease, and everything will be just fine in the end. Based on the severity of how much bacteria there is, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, prescription mouthwash, dental cleaning, or in most severe cases, surgical intervention.
