Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Q&A » My dad has diabetes and he has very bad teeth. I have diabetes too and thankfully my teeth are still good. How can I keep them that way, or will I end up with bad teeth like my dad?

My dad has diabetes and he has very bad teeth. I have diabetes too and thankfully my teeth are still good. How can I keep them that way, or will I end up with bad teeth like my dad?

Diabetes is a condition where the body’s blood sugar levels are out of control, they can go up and down and that will cause all kinds of problems for the body’s organs and tissues. High sugar levels are associated with diabetes mellitus. The most affected areas of the body, which are directly linked to diabetes mellitus, are heart attacks, kidney failure, and strokes, but other symptoms include damaged blood vessels, eyes problems and more. Diabetics can have their sugar levels controlled with medication, exercise, and a diabetic diet When the proper treatment and prevention methods are employed drastic changes to the body do not need to happen and diabetes does have result in serious medical and dental conditions. Diabetes can be controlled and cured in some cases. Type 2 diabetes is directly linked to obesity; by losing weight a type 2 diabetic can bring his or her sugars under control and live a longer happier and healthier life.

The fact of the matter is you can do a lot to prevent diabetes, or slow it down if you already have it.

Some ways to spot dental problems caused by diabetesWhen it comes to having these elevated sugar levels in the blood, they will also enter into the oral cavity. When there is too much sugar in saliva, it can cause the teeth to decay and it can cause periodontal problems. Gums can bleed and get inflamed, or recede from the teeth.

Preventing Tooth and Gum Issues

What you need to do is make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

You must stick to a healthy eating plan; a diabetic diet is the healthiest diet of all. A diabetic diet is designed to keep down sugars and promote stabile blood glucose production within the body. Carbohydrates such as potatoes, refined rice and bread are loaded with sugars, but these sugars are not healthy sugars, they do not produce energy that the body needs, instead they are simply converted in fat and stored in the cells. We all know that sugary foods will cause cavities. Even beneficial fluids such as fruit juices can wear away the enamel on the teeth.

You will of course have to take your diabetes medication as prescribed. You will need to change your lifestyle for a healthier one that promotes getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day in order to help reduce your blood sugar and help you lose weight and feel more energetic and healthier.

Brush your teeth after each meal and even when you have a snack. It is better to use a soft toothbrush and gently aim the bristles toward the gum and brush them gently as well. Floss your teeth by using a saw like action between the teeth starting from the bottom of the tooth and going towards the top; do this several times to make sure you get out any trapped food particles. If you are wearing false teeth makes sure they are clean as well. Even though your teeth won’t decay if you are wearing false teeth the bacteria can still harm you gums.

Don’t forget to check your glucose levels with your glucose meter

Check your blood pressure and cholesterol as well. If you are on medication do not neglect to take your pills. If you are on several pills and have problems remembering to take them or if you have taken one and not the other, there are nifty little pill boxes you can get at your pharmacy which will divvy up the medication for you and you can clearly see if you have taken your pills for that particular day or not.

Another important issue is that you shouldn’t smoke. Smoking will make it even more likely you will get some kind of gum disease, especially when you are over 45 and diabetic.

Go for your regular dental examinations twice a year. Make sure your dentist is aware you have diabetes mellitus. Let your dentist know ahead of time, so that he will be aware of the situation and how to handle it, bring your meds with you and tell him your latest glucose reading.

Make an appointment with your dentist at the first sign of redness, tenderness, loose teeth, receding gum line, pus, soreness in the oral cavity or anything unusual with your teeth or gums.

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