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Diabetes and Your Teeth

I go through my list of “care and maintenance” when patients see me for their diabetes care.

“Have you had your eye exam this year?”             

                                                                “Oh yes.”

                               “Are you seeing your foot doctor?”                                           

                                                           “Absolutely.”

                                      “When was the last time that you went to the dentist?”

                                                                          

                                                                 *pause*               

                                                           “The dentist?”

Yes, when was the last time that you went to the dentist?

People don’t always realize the damage that high blood sugars can do to teeth. I have even met people who were diagnosed with diabetes because their dentists suggested that they get checked.

People with diabetes have more teeth and gum disease (gingivitis and periodontal disease), and dental infections can increase blood sugars.

Brushing twice a day and flossing are obviously important. The goal is 6-7 minutes a day.

Checking in with regular dental exams is important too and can be easily overlooked.

People don’t like to go to the dentist (scary!), and many people don’t have dental insurance.

But caring for those teeth now can save you time, money and pain later.


Here's a video about dental anxiety from the ADA
 
Blog submission: Renee Amori, MD Endocrinologist, Drexel University College of Medicine