Over 30 million Americans suffer from some form of diabetes, with about 1.5 million new cases diagnosed every year. While this disease is extremely common, many people are not aware of the toll that high blood sugar can take on your mouth. Diabetes that is not well managed can increase your risk of developing many oral health complications. Understanding how to care for your mouth when you have diabetes can help you work with your dentist to prevent or address problems before they get too serious.
At Westborough Dental Associates, we understand that this can be a challenge, but we are here to assist you every step of the way. We provide you with compassionate, high-quality service and strive to help you understand all of your care options. We offer a wide range of treatments for many dental issues, complications caused by diabetes, and will develop a personalized treatment plan that allows you to achieve your oral health goals.
How Can Diabetes Affect My Mouth?
If your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, you may be at risk of experiencing an array of dental issues, some of which can lead to severe problems. Some of these issues include:
- Wounds in your mouth unable to heal or taking a long time to heal
- An increased amount of plaque
- Oral Thrush (a fungal infection of the mouth)
- Gum disease (also called periodontal disease)
- Cavities
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Food tasting bland
How to Preserve Your Oral Health
Protecting or restoring your oral health when you have diabetes is a multistep process. The first thing you should do is make sure that your blood sugar levels are under control; this will drastically reduce your risk of developing serious dental problems. However, you must also be sure to keep your teeth and mouth healthy by practicing good dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice each day and flossing at least once each day.
Another crucial step is meeting regularly with Dr. Tufa for routine cleanings and checkups. All patients are encouraged to visit Westborough Dental at least twice every year, but if your blood sugar is causing you problems, you may benefit from more frequent visits. Talk to Dr. Tufa to find out more.
Schedule An Appointment
To schedule an appointment at our Westborough, MA dentist office, call (508) 342-1519 or request an appointment online.