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The health of your teeth and gums is critical to your overall health. Evidence continues to grow linking oral health to a variety of conditions, including diabetes, heart attack and stroke, and pre-term low birth-weight babies. Multiple studies over many years have shown that infection of the gum tissue can initiate a series of inflammatory and immune changes that may have consequences througout your body.
Let's take a look at how good oral hygene is important for diabetics. Diabetes has a whole host of severe implications for the body. Gum disease, especially severe gum disease is an uncomfortable and oftentimes hard to control oral care problem which can actually make it harder to control diabetes.
Unfortunately, the number of people with diabetes continues to rise dramatically. According to the World Health Organization and International Diabetes Foundation the number of people with diabetes worldwide increased from 30 million in 1985 people to over 177 million today. As many as one-third to one-half remain undiagnosed.
There is also significant concern about the rise in pre-diabetes, who are people with blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered as diabetics. Over 350 million people worldwide are believed to be pre-diabetes. Recent research shows that long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes.
People with diabetes—particularly those who do not properly control their blood sugar levels—are susceptible to the development of gum disease and other oral infections. Nearly 64 percent of diabetics already have some level of gum disease as diabetes slows healing and increases the risk of infection. Therefore, in the event oral surgery is required, diabetics, particularly those whose blood sugar is poorly controlled, are faced with a higher risk of complications.
The relationship between diabetes and gum disease goes both ways. Diabetes can worsen gum disease and, at the same time, gum disease can make diabetes harder to control. For instance, once an oral infection or gum disease is present in a diabetic, the progression of the condition is typically much faster than for a non-diabetic.
As a diabetic or pre-diabetic it is important that your oral routine includes the following:
- Thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every day. Since a Sonicare is clinically proven to reduce gingivitis, it’s a perfect choice.
- If you smoke, it’s important that you quit. If you are diabetic, smoking increases your risk of gum disease significantly.
- Visit your dentist frequently. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
- Also, contact the dentist if you notice soreness in your gums, dry mouth, white patches or a bad taste in your mouth.
- Maintaining control of your blood glucose is equally important for oral health as it is for your overall well-being.
Sonicare is the number one sonic toothbrush most recommended by dental professionals worldwide. It is clinically proven to remove significantly more plaque than a manual toothbrush while staying safe and gentle on teeth and gums. There are more than 85 published clinical and laboratory studies supporting the health benefits of using a Sonicare for your oral care. |
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The perfect companion for Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste is the Oral-B® Pulsar™ Pro-Health™ brush. Its unique combination of ProSoft™ and MicroPulse bristles™ , along with its pressure sensitive split head cleans deep, stimulates gums and is gentle on teeth.
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Help Stop Gingivitis Before it Starts
Education on Gingivitis:
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. It is an inflammation of the gum tissues surrounding the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which can be a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Gingivitis can sometimes be painless and, therefore, people may be unaware they have it. To help avoid gingivitis, regular visits to your dentist, brushing twice a day, and rinsing can help control plaque and gingivitis.
Causes of Gingivitis
One of the leading causes of gingivitis is plaque. Plaque is a sticky bacteria that builds up if your teeth are not brushed regularly. This can create toxins that damage your teeth and gums.
Signs of Gingivitis
Some things to look out for when checking for gingivitis include inflamed, red or bleeding gums. If you suspect you may have gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Recommendations on How to Prevent Gingivitis
The first step to helping prevent gingivitis is to remove the bacterial plaque from your teeth. To do this, try the following dental health routine:
- Step 1 – Brush twice a day with a power toothbrush to help remove plaque.
- Step 2 – Use toothpastes that contain fluoride, a powerful agent that helps combat the acid attack from plaque that builds up on teeth throughout the day.
- Step 3 – Follow with a mouthwash that helps get those hard-to-reach places that plaque bacteria can hide in.
- Step 4 – Finish your routine by flossing to help get in between teeth.
- Step 5 – Don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly for a checkup and to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.