The importance of dental care with diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that can affect the whole body, including the mouth.

Dental care is particularly important for people with diabetes because they face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems due to poorly controlled blood sugars.

The less well controlled the blood sugar, the more likely oral health problems will arise. This is because uncontrolled diabetes impairs white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against bacterial infections that can occur in the mouth.

The good News for people with diabetes is that by practicing good dental care and oral hygiene habits, brushing at least twice daily (or preferably after every meal) with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and flossing daily, and by keeping blood sugar levels under control, the potential for infection from periodontal disease will be greatly reduced or eliminated, as will the risk of tooth loss.