Diabetes and gum disease

Posted: 2/5/2018

If you have diabetes, you know if you don’t control your blood sugar it can cause many health problems. One of these problems is gum disease. This is when bacteria grows in your mouth and causes an infection in the gums around your teeth.

Some signs of gum disease include:

• Red, swollen gums
• Bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• Dentures that don’t fit anymore

What you can do:

• The most important thing is to keep your blood sugar at a level that’s normal for you.
• Brush your teeth two times a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth with floss.
• Visit a dentist for checkups and cleanings at least two times a year.

If you have problems with your mouth, talk to your doctor or dentist about treatment. For more information about diabetes, go to www.ParklandDiabetes.com.