Diabetes can contribute to adverse effects on your dental health when not properly managed. Our periodontist in St. Petersburg, FL, explains that diabetes hinders your body’s ability to fight bacteria in the mouth. High blood sugar levels create conditions where bacteria can grow, thrive, and potentially lead to gum disease.
Our Periodontist in St. Petersburg, FL, Suggests Looking for These Signs of Gum Disease
As the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, gum disease (aka periodontal disease) is important to be wary of. This is particularly true if you are diabetic, because you are at an increased risk of experiencing this condition.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, our top-rated periodontist in St. Petersburg recommends consulting your dentist as soon as possible.
Signs of Gum Disease
- Loose Teeth
- Chronic Bad Breath
- Irregular Bite
- Sore, bleeding, red, or swollen gums
Gum disease is ultimately caused by plaque. Our periodontist in St. Petersburg, FL, argues that even with diabetes, you can reduce plaque buildup to minimize harm to your smile. Regular checkups with your dentist are essential, as is communicating to your dentist that you have diabetes. You should also give your St. Petersburg periodontist and dentist a list of the medications you take.
Our Periodontist in St. Petersburg, FL, Suggests Ways to Keep Diabetic Infections at Bay
Patients with diabetes are more likely to sustain infections throughout their bodies, and infections within the mouth are no exception. In fact, the high levels of bacteria in your mouth make this one of the more vulnerable areas to infection.
If you have diabetes, you should maintain good oral hygiene practices to prevent infections. You should also take care to clean your oral appliances, such as dentures, retainers, or braces, which can harbor additional bacteria. Bacteria buildup can lead to fungal infections such as thrush, which you can identify by white patches in the mouth.
Diabetes can also cause you to experience dry mouth, because it reduces your saliva production. This can also affect how you taste food and cause you to change your eating habits. Our periodontist in St. Petersburg suggests being mindful of such warning signs, as sometimes patients recognize these oral symptoms before they are diagnosed as diabetic. Being conscious of the changes in your oral health can help to signal that consulting with your dentist or doctor may be necessary. This way, you can ensure that your health is in check.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry and periodontics, feel free to contact St. Petersburg periodontist and dentist Dr. Bruce Crawford, with a convenient dental and periodontal office in St. Petersburg, FL, by clicking here or by calling 727.231.5908.