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Diabetes and Oral Health – A Two-Way Street

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Oral health is a critical component of total health.  Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health has called attention to this important connection and states,  that if left untreated, poor oral health is a “silent X-factor promoting the onset of life-threatening diseases which are responsible for the deaths of millions of Americans each year.”

If you, a friend or a family member have diabetes, you may have heard that this common disease increases a person’s risk of gum disease and other oral health problems. But did you know that this relationship is a mutually distressing one? Not only does diabetes make gum disease worse, but gum disease can actually make diabetes worse too by interfering with blood-glucose management strategies.

Here, we shine some light on the relationship between diabetes and oral health, and what you can do about it.

1.     Diabetes makes it difficult for the body to fight infection. Whether the infection is located in the mouth, the foot or any other part of the body, poor circulation suppresses the immune system, making it harder for the body’s natural infection fighting responders to do their job. This means that if you have diabetes, you are more prone to gum disease, and other oral health problems too such as, thrush and dry mouth.

2.     Type II diabetes is increasing in incidence, even among younger individuals.

On the flip-side, gum (Periodontal) disease can also make diabetes worse. Whenever the body is fighting illness or an infection (such as a cold or the flu or even gum disease), blood sugar spikes are harder to control with regular methods and thus extra monitoring and control-measures are required.

1.     Periodontal disease is more common in people with diabetes. Among young adults, those with diabetes have about twice the risk of those without diabetes.

2.     Periodontal disease is more prevalent, progresses more rapidly, and is often more severe in those with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

3.     Periodontal disease has been named as the sixth complication of diabetes.

Are you wondering what you can do to minimize this damage? First and foremost, keep your blood sugar under control by using the methods that your physician has prescribed. Next, practice good oral health maintenance with regular brushing and flossing. And finally, don't skip regular trips to the dentist and other oral health professionals. If you have diabetes, you cannot afford to ignore this important part of your body. For more information about oral health call Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. today at (800) 223-0801. Visit Dr. Bergan at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office. You can book online www.alinabergandds.com