Diabetic Dentistry Cherry Hill

The Oral-Systemic Connection Between Diabetes & Your Smile

Many dentists don’t differentiate how they treat their patients based on underlying medical conditions they may have, and while that may seem like an effective method of treatment for some, that’s not the case with Dr. Lee. She has treated countless patients with diabetes and understands exactly how having a condition that compromises the immune system can impact oral health. Because of this, she’s able to offer her patients a unique educational experience that aids in connecting the dots between how their condition can put them at a higher risk of gum disease and other dental concerns. This provides her patients with a chance to salvage their smiles by taking proactive preventive measures.

How Can Diabetes Lead to Poor Oral Health?

Whether you’re pre-diabetic or have been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s crucial to understand how symptoms of your medical condition can impact your smile. For example, the American Diabetes Association warns diabetic patients of their tendency to create less saliva, which can lead to a build-up of food debris and bacteria in the mouth that leads to a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. If not properly managed and treated in its earliest stages, this can also cause tooth loss.

There’s also another crucial connection between diabetes and dental problems involving high blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled diabetes can reduce blood flow within the mouth by causing the blood vessels to thicken, as well as result in higher oral glucose levels. This puts patients with diabetes at a much higher risk of developing oral infections like periodontitis.

By choosing a dentist aware of these increased risks and connections, you can take the proper preventive measures to keep oral infections from becoming uncontrolled, or worse, spreading.

Gestational Diabetes & Dental Health Concerns

Even if you are pregnant and at a high risk of developing gestational diabetes, or you’re already diagnosed with it, visiting a knowledgeable dentist like Dr. Lee can help preserve your smile throughout your pregnancy. In fact, putting preventive measures in place to reduce your risk of developing gum disease during this time can only benefit you by reducing your risk of:

• Delivering early or prematurely
• Low birth weight
• Risk of medical concerns, like issues with eyesight or hearing

Putting It All Together: Reduced Risk of Gum Disease Can Lead to Better Health

When gum disease develops, whether it’s in people with underlying medical concerns or not, it has been linked to a variety of secondary conditions and concerns. Countless studies over the last decade, including those from leading organizations like the American Heart Association, have established links between gum disease and an increased risk of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s
• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Respiratory disease

Dr. Lee can work with you to adequately address your concerns, ensuring you’re able to maintain an excellent quality of life and also improve your health. Besides actively treating oral infections, we can also recommend diet plans, supplements, and lifestyle changes to help you maintain a steady baseline of good health.