Unfortunately, those with diabetes are at a greater risk for dental health problems, and as your Tuscaloosa, AL family dentist, we’d like to ensure that our patients are well informed about how best to care for your teeth when facing diabetes.
How They’re Related
Dry mouth is a common symptom of diabetes, which essentially means that those with diabetes might experience lower levels of saliva than those without. This could lead to the following:
- Soreness
- Ulcers
- Infections
- Tooth decay
- Periodontal disease
In addition to dry mouth, diabetes also reduces the body’s resistance to infection. This places your gums at a greater risk for infection, and therefore, gingivitis.
What We Recommend
If you are experiencing dry mouth and have not been diagnosed with diabetes, we recommend seeing your regular physician. If you do have diabetes and are experiencing any of the issues laid out above, we recommend taking extra care of your mouth and seeing Dr. Skalnik more frequently. There is a good chance that Dr. Skalnik will prescribe you with antibiotics or medicated mouth rinses. Additionally, we recommend that you keep an eye out for dental infections, and if you are experiencing one, to schedule an appointment with us immediately.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment with your Tuscaloosa, AL family dentist, Dr. Grant Skalnik, and be sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels in order to avoid future issues.