November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below is one way that diabetes can affect your oral health.
Slow Healing
Have you ever noticed a cold sore or a cut in your mouth that doesn’t quite seem to go away? This can be another way that diabetes may affect your mouth. Poor control of blood sugar can keep injuries from healing quickly and properly. If you have something in your mouth that you feel isn’t healing as it should, see your dentist.
To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
Bensonhurst Smiles
Chung Hin Lau, DDS
6306 18 Ave, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11204
(718) 232-4044
BensonhurstSmiles.com
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health.
Change in Taste
Your favorite flavors might not taste as rich as your remember if you have diabetes. It can be disappointing, but take the opportunity to experiment with different tastes, textures and spices to your favorite foods. Just take care not to add too much sugar to your food in an effort to add flavor. Not only can this affect the quality of your diet, it can also lead to more cavities. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, see your dentist or doctor.
Infections
Diabetes affects your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. One common among people with diabetes is a yeast infection called oral thrush (candidiasis). The yeast thrive on the higher amount of sugar found in your saliva, and it looks like a white layer coating your tongue and the insides of your cheeks. Thrush is more common in people who wear dentures and can often leave a bad taste in your mouth. See your dentist if you think you have thrush or any other mouth infection.
To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
Bensonhurst Smiles
Chung Hin Lau, DDS
6306 18 Ave, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11204
(718) 232-4044
BensonhurstSmiles.com
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health.
Gum Disease
Notice some bleeding when you brush or floss? That may be an early sign of gum disease. If it becomes more severe, the bone that supports your teeth can break down, leading to tooth loss. Early gum disease can be reversed with proper brushing, flossing and diet. Research has shown gum disease can worsen if your blood sugar is not under control, so do your best to keep it in check.
Dry Mouth
Studies have found people with diabetes have less saliva, so you might find yourself feeling parched or extra thirsty. (Medications and higher blood sugar levels are also causes.) Fight dry mouth by drinking water. You can also chew sugarless gum and eat healthy, crunchy foods to get saliva flowing. This is especially important because extra sugar in your saliva, combined with less saliva to wash away leftover food, can lead to cavities.
To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
Bensonhurst Smiles
Chung Hin Lau, DDS
6306 18 Ave, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11204
(718) 232-4044
BensonhurstSmiles.com
