How Does Diabetes Affect My Dental Treatment?

How Does Diabetes Affect My Dental Treatment?

Diabetes and your oral health are interrelated, each affecting the other. Having diabetes can increase your risk of dental problems while having poor oral health can make it harder to manage your diabetes. That’s why our dedicated team at Highlight Family Dentistry of Hutto has put together a comprehensive “Diabetes Dentistry Program” designed to boost your oral health and general well-being. 

Diabetes and Its Relation With Your Oral Health

Diabetes can impact your oral health in several ways, which is why it’s important to keep up with your routine dental exams and cleanings. That will ensure any problems are caught and treated in their earliest stages. Diabetes can worsen or increase the risk of the following oral health concerns:

• Periodontal Disease: Diabetes and periodontal or gum disease directly impact each other. High blood glucose levels elevate the risk of gum inflammation and infection. Periodontal disease, on the other hand, makes it harder to control your blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of diabetes complications. 
• Tooth Decay: High sugar levels in the saliva resulting from uncontrolled diabetes can provide cavity-causing bacteria with the perfect environment to flourish. As they feast, the harmful bacteria produce acids that attack and erode your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. 
• Dry Mouth: Diabetes can reduce saliva production, often leading to dry mouth. That can raise the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. 
• Oral Infections: Diabetes increases the risk of oral infections, such as thrush. The painful condition is characterized by white, painful patches in your inner cheeks or on the roof of the mouth. 
• Slower Healing: Diabetes tends to slow healing and recovery after dental treatments such as tooth extraction, oral surgery, or other dental procedures. Moreover, gum infections, abscesses, and other oral health conditions often take longer to resolve and may require more extensive treatments. 

Highlight Family Dentistry’s Diabetes Dentistry Program

At Highlight Family Dentistry, we offer a Diabetes Dentistry Program tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced dentists will begin by evaluating your most recent blood work/HbA1c levels. Aside from adhering to your prescribed medications and diet, our team may recommend supplements to control your blood sugar levels. 

An important component of our Diabetes Dentistry Program is thoroughly examining your gums to evaluate their health. If needed, we may recommend a deep dental cleaning, a procedure known as scaling and root planing, to keep your gums as healthy as possible. You’ll need to schedule periodontal maintenance visits every three months. We will perform a gentle but thorough teeth cleaning, evaluate your gum health, and measure the depth of your periodontal pockets. The goal of this treatment is to keep your gums healthy and prevent bone loss. 

Our diabetes dental care team will be in touch with you between visits to check on your progress. Our goal is to reduce your HbA1c levels within your first six months of treatment and stabilize your gum disease within the first year.

Lowering the Risk of Diabetes-Related Oral Health Concerns

It’s important to keep your blood sugar levels under control to lower your risk of diabetes-related oral health problems. Monitor your blood sugar levels, and take medications as needed. Adhere to your recommended diet and exercise program to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. 

Make sure to keep up with good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing, to support your oral health. Be gentle when you brush to avoid damage to your gums. We also recommend refraining from smoking, which can exacerbate the problems associated with diabetes. 

Diabetes Dentistry Program Near Me in Hutto, TX

Are you ready to take charge of your health? Contact Highlight Family Dentistry of Hutto today to learn more about our Diabetes Dentistry Program. Our experienced dentists and patient-centered team are committed to ensuring our valued patients continue to enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for years to come. We invite you to call us at (512) 886-2644 to schedule your appointment today!