Mouth Care Basics for Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes can affect your whole body, including your mouth. Type 2 diabetes is a dangerous disease because, if uncontrolled, it can lead to complications throughout the body from the heart to the kidneys to the eyes. When diabetes begins to affect the mouth, it can cause gum disease and tooth decay.  If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important to tell Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS that you have this condition during your next visit and what medications you take to treat it.

Diabetes prompts an inflammatory response in the body. In the mouth, this leads to swollen gums. If left unchecked, your gums will begin to pull away from your teeth. As your gums retreat, deep pockets form between teeth and gums. Those pockets become home to bacterial and fungal infections, filling with germs and pus. Diabetes creates high levels of sugar in your saliva, a condition that spurs on these infections. To protect teeth and gums, people with type 2 diabetes must practice diligent oral hygiene and mouth care as well as manage their diabetes.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes and have questions about your oral health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Diabetic Oral Care

People with poorly controlled diabetes are more prone to dental problems. They are more likely to develop infections of their gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place. Dental infection can also increase your blood sugar level.. If you have diabetes, please call our office to schedule a professional exam with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS to prevent further dental complications and to keep your blood sugar under control. 

If you have diabetes, symptoms of dental problems include bleeding and sore gums, frequent infections, and bad breath. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is critical. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Additionally, high blood sugar may cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. The decrease in saliva can cause an increase in tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. You can prevent these problems by maintaining good blood sugar control, brushing and flossing and least twice a day, and schedule a dental checkup every six months.

If you are diabetic and have questions about oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.