Diabetes : Dental care (BD Medical - Diabetes Care)

  
 

For a person with diabetes, dental health is very important for two main reasons:
  • Diabetes increases the likelihood of developing infection.
  • Any infection may have a significant effect on diabetes control.
   
Tooth decay, gum disease or mouth ulcers are more frequent in people who have a poor blood glucose management.


What should you do?

   
  • Brush your teeth carefully after each meal.
  • Consult your dentist at least twice a year even if you have no apparent problem.
  • Do not hesitate to ask your dentist if you experience poor glycaemic control without obvious reason: it could be a dental infection that has gone unnoticed.

These preventive measures will help you avoid many dental problems.

If you have toothache
If you can not eat solid food because chewing is difficult, try alternatives like milk, soup, cereals, pudding or fruit juices to replace your carbohydrate allowance.


If you are undergoing dental treatment

  • Measure your blood glucose level more frequently.
  • Test your urine for ketones and glucose.

It is advisable to have surgical treatment such as tooth extraction carried out first thing in the morning so as not to upset your treatment pattern.

With regard to the use of a local anaesthetic, your dentist should contact your doctor.


Good dental health is important
to good glycaemic control!

Ask your diabetes specialist nurse for more advice