How important is Gum care and dental hygiene for Diabetes?
Maintaining your blood glucose levels is not the only thing people with diabetes need take care off. Infact they should watch out for gum diseases and maintain oral hygiene regularly. Scientific research suggests periodontal diseases have been a leading cause of tooth loss, pain and tooth decay in people with diabetes. To know more read on.
Starting of gum diseases
Similar to our gut, our mouth houses many useful and harmful bacteria’s. Maintaining oral hygiene keeps the harmful bacteria’s on check from causing periodontal diseases. Research suggests people with diabetes are at higher risk to develop gum diseases due to a weakened immune system.
Gum diseases and its effects
Research is on our side, periodontal diseases pose a high risk and effects people with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes and also to people with dementia and Alzheimer’s too.
The effects of periodontal disease range from redness and swelling(inflammation) of the gums (gingivitis) to complete destruction of the tooth’s bony support structure (advanced periodontitis), which is responsible for tooth loss.
Diabetes research has determined that successfully treating periodontitis reduces the severity of diabetes and vice versa.
Preventing periodontal diseases
We’ve heard the phrase “prevention is better than cure” now let’s kick into action by doing the following
Brush and floss
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before bedtime. If you have gaps, implants, or wide spaces between your teeth, you may want to ask your dentist how to brush carefully because spaces and gaps invite bacteria’s to dwell due to trapped food particles.
Choose the correct paste/mouthwash
There are many periodontics friendly toothpastes and mouthwashes available commercially, but you are advised to check with your dentist. Your dentist will prescribe you the periodontal correct toothpaste and mouth washes to prevent from periodontal diseases and various other dental complications like tooth sensitivity and tooth inflammation.
Eat healthy and have healthy gums
A diet rich in vegetables and essential oils, fruits, legumes, nuts, and fish not only provides all the important nutrients, but it helps suppress inflammation too keeping your gums healthy and strong. Research hints that people, who consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have a reduced risk of periodontal diseases.
Avoid smoking
Did you know people who smoke up to a half a pack of cigarettes per day are almost three times more likely to have periodontitis than non- smokers? We are definitely not trying to scare you but research hints that smoking not only causes periodontal conditions but also discolour your tooth irreversibly causing permanent damages in the enamel.
Regular dental check-ups
We all hate to be in the dentist chair don’t we? But there are minute examinations and cleanings needed to be done by dentists. Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove bacteria-harbouring plaque and spot the first signs of periodontal disease. So do not ignore and visit a dental clinic every three months
Treat early and be a winner
Treat the initial signs such as swollen, bleeding gums; pockets of pus; or gums that have pulled away from your teeth are the most preliminary signs of periodontal disease. Gum changes, such as widening spaces between your teeth, and bridges can be signs of onset of periodontal diseases. Hence you are advised not to ignore gum diseases and suffer hugely.
