Did you know that 1.16 million people living in Sri Lanka have diabetes? That’s 6% of the population—and the number of cases of diabetes in adults that are undiagnosed amounts for 0.6 million. Diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar. All food you eat is turned to sugar and used for energy. In Type I diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin, a hormone that carries sugar from your blood to the cells that need it for energy. In Type II diabetes, the body stops responding to insulin. Both cases result in high blood sugar levels, which can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. So what does this have to do with that smile of yours — and how can you protect it? First, it’s important to understand the signs of diabetes and the roles they play in your mouth. The Symptoms of Untreated Diabetes The warning signs of diabetes affect every part of your body. After a blood test, you may be told by a doctor that you have high blood sugar. You may feel excessively thirsty or have to urinate a lot. Weight loss and fatigue are other common symptoms. Diabetes can also cause you to lose consciousness if your blood sugar falls too low. If diabetes is left untreated, it can take a toll on your mouth as well. Here's how:
Why People with Diabetes Are More Prone to Gum Disease All people have more tiny bacteria living in their mouth now than there are people on this planet. If they make their home in your gums, you can end up with periodontal disease. This chronic, inflammatory disease can destroy your gums, all the tissues holding your teeth and even your bones. Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 20-30% of those diagnosed. Especially with increasing age, poor blood sugar control increases the risk for gum problems. In fact, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for gum problems because of poor blood sugar control. As with all infections, serious gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise. This makes diabetes harder to control because you are more susceptible to infections and are less able to fight the bacteria invading the gums. How Durdans Dental Care Can Help You Fight Diabetes Regular dental visits are important. Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing the progression of the disease. Practicing good oral hygiene and having professional deep cleanings done by your dentist can help to lower your HbA1c. Your Diabetes Dental Health Action Plan Teamwork involving self-care and professional care from Durdans Dental Unit will be beneficial in keeping your healthy smile as well as potentially slowing progression of diabetes. Here are five oral health-related things you can do to for optimal wellness: Control your blood sugar levels. Use your diabetes-related medications as directed, changing to a healthier diet and even exercising more can help. Good blood sugar control will also help your body fight any bacterial or fungal infections in your mouth and help relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes. Avoid smoking If you wear any type of denture, clean it each day. Get regular Dental Consultations at Durdans The dental team at Durdans Dental Care Centre makes the treatment quite simple and stress-free for the patients-with the help of state-of- the-art equipment. Each patient receives a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan designed by the dentist with long-term oral and overall health in mind. The Durdans Dental Care offers both pediatric and adult dental and oral/maxillofacial surgery services including tooth extractions, fillings, oral surgery, whitening, crown and bridge work and correction of misaligned teeth or Orthodontics. To schedule an appointment at Durdans Dental Care Centre, call 011 2 140 000 today.
1 Comment
4/25/2023 08:16:07 pm
It's good to know that diabetes might make you lose consciousness if your blood sugar levels drop too low. My friend has diabetes and struggles when she falls, making it challenging to treat the wound. I'll advise her to receive diabetic wound care.
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