Dental Health and Diabetes

Looking for more information on the connection between diabetes and the overall state of one’s oral health? When someone is diagnosed with diabetes, they need to understand that this diagnosis can potentially and negatively affect their good oral health. Biologic dental services are commonly chosen, as this type of dentist also considers the patient's overall health.

The connection between diabetes and oral health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. If not properly treated, this common disease can cause someone to experience serious health problems, which includes their oral health. Common symptoms include excessive thirst, excessive hunger, vision problems, frequent urination, weight problems and a feeling of numbness in one’s hands and/or feet.

So, how can diabetes negatively affect one’s oral health? When someone is diabetic and the increase in their blood sugar levels is not properly controlled, it can lead to weak white blood cells. Because the white blood cells play an important role when it comes to protecting the mouth from infections, those who are living with diabetes are more susceptible to being diagnosed with oral health problems, e.g., cavities, gum disease, etc.

Additional ways that untreated diabetes can affect one’s oral health

As soon as someone is diagnosed with a disease like diabetes, it is essential for them to understand how to treat their disease. Additional ways that diabetes can negatively affect one’s oral health include being more susceptible to infections, experiencing a slower time for wound healing, producing less saliva and having a higher risk of being diagnosed with one or more cavities.

How professional dentists can help

Making regular dental checkup appointments is important, as these regular dental appointments allow professional dentists to be on top of their patients' health. While most dentists only place importance on a patient's good oral health, biologic dentists also place importance on their patients' overall health. By making an appointment with the right type of dentist, patients can understand more about how their diabetes diagnosis is affecting the overall health of their mouths.

Is a biologic dentist the right choice?

Are you living with diabetes and want to know whether this common disease is causing you to experience one or more problems with your oral health? Since a biologic dentist considers their patients' overall health, many people are choosing to make them their primary dental professional.

Request an appointment here: https://doctormccarthy.com or call Shannon H. McCarthy DDS at (716) 689-8882 for an appointment in our Williamsville office.