Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy! Periodontitis Alert

Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Periodontitis Alert

 

 

 

Need another reason to keep your blood glucose levels down?

How about your teeth and gum health?

Want to keep your teeth?

Crazy thing -

 Periodontal disease

(a fancy name for mouth disease)

is considered the sixth leading complication of diabetes.

 

But Guess What??

Gum disease may raise blood glucose levels in those WITHOUT diabetes.

So if you have diabetes

AND

gum disease

DOUBLE whammy

MAYBE

even TRIPLE whammy.

 

Why You Ask?

High glucose allows bacteria in the mouth to grow

Irritating the gums and causing inflammation

which triggers an entire body inflammatory response
which  raises blood sugar

which allows bacteria to grow in the mouth

Which causes irritation to the gums

 

OH WAIT....

We are back to the beginning of a circle

that makes BOTH conditions worse!

 

Tips and Tricks

Try to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range

Brush your teeth 2x a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste

Get a periodontal evaluation every year

Let your dentist know you have diabetes

Let your doctor know if you have periodontal disease

Stop smoking

Reduce stress

Eat right - lean protein, whole grains, vegetables

 

Warning Signs

Bad breath

Mouth sores

Loose or separating teeth

Red, swollen, tender gums

Bleeding when flossing or brushing

Mouth pain

Receding gums

 

Make an appointment if you experience these symptoms.

 

Let's keep our terrific smiles!!

Have a great numbers day!

 

Jay