What You Need to Know about Diabetes and Dental Care?
There are 29.1 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes, and there are 1.7 million new cases diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, there are also about 8.1 million people who don’t know they have it. Not only does this pose a physical health risk, but it’s also an oral health risk.
The Oral Effects of Diabetes
People who do not know they have diabetes may suffer from the following signs and symptoms:
- Dry mouth because the body doesn’t produce as much saliva as someone who doesn’t have the condition.
- Since saliva protects the teeth, there’s a higher chance of having cavities.
- Gingivitis (inflamed and bleeding gums) is another concern for people with diabetes.
- People with diabetes often report they have issues tasting food.
- There’s an increased risk of oral infections.
- Teeth may start growing earlier for children with diabetes.
Many people do not realize they have diabetes until they go to the dentist and voice their oral health concerns to their dentist. When the dentist has experience working with patients who have diabetes, such as Victor K. Muradian, DDS, he can bring this possibility to patients and encourage them to make an appointment with their primary care physician for an evaluation.
How Oral Health Affects Diabetes?
Diabetes affects oral health, and oral health affects diabetes. Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can destroy gums and elevate blood sugar levels. This can be a serious problem for people who have diabetes because the body has a difficult time controlling blood sugar levels. This makes it much harder to manage diabetes, which can lead to other medical concerns such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, eye damage, and more. In addition to controlling blood sugar levels with medication and lifestyle changes, people with diabetes should ensure they have good oral health.
Prevent Gum Disease and Diabetes Complications with a Dentist in Simi Valley
To keep gum disease away, it’s important to visit your dentist regularly. Practicing good oral hygiene is also the key to preventing gum disease and other oral health issues that could affect diabetes management.
Victor K. Muradian, DDS, is a dentist in Simi Valley specializing in helping people with diabetes. With regular dental appointments and following his recommendations for at-home oral care, he can help people prevent gum disease, which can keep their diabetes manageable. Due to his experience caring for patients with diabetes, he knows the signs and symptoms of the condition and can refer patients when he suspects they have it.
Contact our dentist in Simi Valley now at 805-522-0880 for an appointment.
Location: 3695 Alamo St #300, Simi Valley, CA 93063