What does the health of your teeth and gums have to do with your blood sugar? If your answer is “nothing,” Montauk dentist Dr. Lewis Gross encourages you to think again. The truth is that diabetes and dentistry go hand in hand.

Protect Your Mouth to Prevent Diabetes

Like with several other serious health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, stroke, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, your risk of diabetes is increased by the presence of oral health problems. For example, untreated periodontal (gum) disease has been directly linked to a heightened susceptibility to diabetes.

With obesity at an all-time high, diabetes is quickly becoming a widespread health problem, and most patients want to do all they can to protect themselves. Dr. Lewis Gross urges you to think not only about your diet and exercise habits, but also about your teeth and gums. By sticking to a thorough dental hygiene routine at home, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash, you’ll set the stage for good oral health.

Still, daily dental hygiene is only half of the battle. To fully protect yourself from gum disease and other oral health problems, professional dental care is necessary. The American Dental Association and Dr. Lewis Gross recommend that everyone attend routine dental checkups and cleanings at least every six months. These dental appointments will allow Dr. Gross the opportunity to screen your mouth for warning signs of disease and problems, then clean your teeth with the techniques and thoroughness only professional dental care can offer.

The Link Between Diabetes and Dental Health

Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar is key. Just as your oral health affects your bodily health, your bodily health can affect your oral health, and, in this case, being a diabetic can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Why?

Your mouth naturally contains many types of bacteria, some of which are responsible for creating plaque and acid that harm teeth. These bacteria consume sugars and starches. The higher your blood sugar, the greater the supply of sugar and starches the bacteria have access to, putting you at a higher risk of tooth decay.

Diabetes also reduces your ability to fight bacteria, which can cause more plaque to accumulate at your gum line. Unremoved plaque calcifies into tartar and can lead to gum disease, which is infection of the gum tissue. Redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding gums are characteristic of early gum disease (gingivitis). If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can escalate into a more serious condition, periodontitis.

As you can see, you need quality dental care to prevent gum disease, and you need quality dental care to control your diabetes and protect your dental health. Dr. Lewis Gross has helped countless patients overcome their diabetes-related dental problems. To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.