Living with Diabetes: 5 Reasons Regular Dental Visits Are So Important

While most focus on blood sugar levels, diet, and exercise, those aren’t the only issues for people with diabetes. Dental health also warrants attention. 

At Arya Dental, our board-certified dentists, Saeed Mokhayeri, DDS and Hengameh Safarcherati, DDS, offer general and cosmetic dentistry to patients in and around Fullerton, California, and provide specialized care for those with diabetes. 

Here are five compelling reasons for those with diabetes to maintain good oral health and keep our number handy.

The link between diabetes and dental health

You know diabetes affects overall health, but it may surprise you that it also impacts oral health. 

For starters, high blood sugar levels increase the glucose in your saliva, and bacteria love sugar. As bacteria multiply, you get more plaque buildup, a precursor to gum disease. 

Second, diabetes reduces saliva flow, leading to a dry mouth and an increased risk of cavities.

Third, inflammation and diabetes go hand in hand, and inflammation is the source of many dental issues. 

Fourth, diabetes weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections in your gums. 

Finally, gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar, creating a vicious cycle. 

In short, dental problems make it tough to manage diabetes, while diabetes causes and exacerbates dental issues. 

Why everyone with diabetes needs regular dental visits

Everyone needs regular dental visits, and that’s especially true if you have diabetes. Here’s why:

1. To prevent tooth decay and cavities

If you have diabetes, you’re more prone to cavities due to higher levels of sugar in your saliva and a tendency for dry mouth. 

We monitor your dental health and provide fluoride treatments that strengthen your tooth enamel and protect against decay. 

2. To prevent gum disease

People with diabetes tend to get gum disease or periodontal disease more often and more severely than those without diabetes. Plaque and tartar are the main problems because they irritate and inflame your gums. You could face tooth loss if you don’t treat gum disease.

When you come in for regular dental checkups, we can remove the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease. You can help by controlling your blood sugar levels to protect your gums. 

3. To manage dry mouth

Diabetes often reduces saliva production, resulting in dry mouth. Because saliva neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, rinses away food particles, and moistens your mouth, a lack of saliva can lead to cavities.

During your regular visits, we monitor your dry mouth and may recommend special mouth rinses, sugar-free gum, or staying hydrated. 

4. To prevent infections

You may know that diabetes weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, especially in your feet. But it also makes you more vulnerable to mouth infections, such as thrush (a fungal infection) and oral ulcers. 

We teach you how to brush, floss, and use antiseptic mouthwashes to prevent oral infections. 

5. To protect your overall health

Believe it or not, poor oral health affects your whole system. Research shows it can lead to other conditions, such as heart disease and respiratory infections. 

Call Arya Dental or book online to schedule a visit with one of our experienced specialists. We can expertly treat your dental needs while monitoring your diabetes.