Diabetes Dental Care at Home: Tips for a Healthy Mouth

Continued high blood glucose levels leads to a greater incidence of dental disease. Dental disease in turn can lead to bad breath, bone decay in the mouth, tooth loss, and even to coronary problems such as stroke and heart attack. Thus diabetes dental care at home is particularly important.

The Importance of Brushing

Regular brushing helps to clean the teeth of any plaque that has formed, preventing it from hardening into tartar (which can only be removed at the dentist).

• Brush your teeth after every meal. Many people brush first thing in the morning and then again before bed. However, brushing soon after every meal or snack will help to remove plaque before it has a chance to harden. Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid damaging your gums.

• Learn to brush properly. It may sound silly, since brushing our teeth is something we've done since we were kids, but sometimes a quick demonstration from your dentist can be helpful.

• Brush your tongue, too. The tongue traps bacteria and should also be cleaned.

• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps to protect the tooth and prevent it from decaying.

• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Toothbrushes get out-of-shape and collect bacteria the more they're used. A new toothbrush is more effective.

• An electric toothbrush may be helpful for people who have arthritis or who find it difficult to maneuver and use a regular toothbrush.

Flossing

Flossing gets plaque out from between the teeth where the toothbrush can't reach. This is just as important as brushing the surfaces of the teeth.

• Floss every day. Get a fresh piece of dental floss and methodically floss the inside edges of each tooth (both sides), as well as the edges of the back teeth. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

• A dental floss holder is a useful tool for people who have arthritis or who simply want an easier way to floss.

• A dental mirror can be used to inspect your mouth if your dentist or dental hygienist indicates that there's a section that keeps getting missed while flossing or brushing.

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  A water flosser is another tool that can be added to your arsenal. They are effective at flushing out debris in the mouth that's been missed by regular flossing. Note, a water flosser isn't a substitute for regular flossing - you still need to do both.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Regular trips to the dentist are helpful. Tartar must be removed to keep both your gums and teeth healthy, and can only be removed with professional cleanings at the dentist.

• Get regular cleanings at the dentist. Every six months is often the "standard", but your dentist may recommend that you go more often depending on the condition of your teeth and gums.

• Tell your dentist that you have diabetes. This is important for your dentist to know, since wounds have a tendency to heal slower in diabetics. Even a simple cleaning can result in minor tissue damage. It's even more important when you need dental surgery or major procedure.

General Dental Care Tips

Other things you can do to keep your mouth as healthy as possible include:

• Keep your mouth moist. Drink water if your mouth feels dry. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash, which also dries out the mouth.

• Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of dental disease.

• Keep your blood sugar under control. Good diabetes dental care at home can help to prevent many problems, but blood glucose levels must be well-managed to lower the risk of developing dental problems. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly to be sure. Diabetics whose blood sugar is under control are not at any greater risk than the general population for dental disease. A complete diabetes treatment plan will help you to manage blood sugar levels.