Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your teeth and gums healthy.What are diabetes problems? Too much sugar in the blood for a long time causes diabetes problems. This high blood sugar can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. , and kidneys. Diabetes problems can be scary, but there is a lot you can do to prevent them or slow them down. This booklet is about the tooth and gum problems caused by diabetes. You will learn what you can do each day and during each year to stay healthy and prevent diabetes problems. What should I do each day to stay healthy with diabetes? Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian dietitian /di·e·ti·tian/ (di?e-tish´in) one skilled in the use of diet in health and disease. di·e·ti·tian or di·e·ti·cian n. A person specializing in dietetics. have worked out. Eat your meals and snacks at around the same times each day. Be active a total of 30 minutes most days. Ask your doctor what activities are best for you. Take your diabetes medicine at the same times each day. Check your blood sugar every day. Each time you check your blood sugar, write the number in your record book. Call your doctor if your numbers are too high or too low for 2 to 3 days. Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, or sore toenails. Brush and floss (Free, Libre and Open Source Software) See free software and open source. your teeth and gums every day. Don't smoke. How can diabetes hurt my teeth and gums? Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone. A sticky film full of germs (also called plaque [PLAK]) builds up on your teeth. High blood sugar helps germs (bacteria) grow. Then you can get red, sore, and swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. People with diabetes can have tooth and gum problems more often if their blood sugar stays high. High blood sugar can make tooth and gum problems worse. You can even lose your teeth. Smoking makes it more likely for you to get a bad case of gum disease gum disease Dentistry Gingival disease, often in the form of gingivitis and bone loss 2º to toxins produced by bacteria in plaque accumulating along the gum line Clinical Early–painless bleeding; pain appears with advanced GD as bone loss around the , especially if you have diabetes and are age 45 or older. Red, sore, and bleeding gums Bleeding Gums may refer to:
Inflammation of soft tissues around the teeth (see tooth). Poor dental hygiene leads to deposition of bacterial plaque on the teeth below the gum line, irritating and eroding nearby tissues. (PER-ee-oh-don-TY-tis). Periodontitis is an infection in the gums and the bone that holds the teeth in place. If the infection gets worse, your gums may pull away from your teeth, making your teeth look long. Call your dentist if you think you have problems with your teeth or gums. How do I know if I have damage to my teeth and gums? If you have one or more of these problems, you may have tooth and gum damage from diabetes: * Red, sore, swollen gums. * Bleeding gums. * Gums pulling away from your teeth so your teeth look long. * Loose or sensitive teeth. * Bad breath. * A bite that feels different. * Dentures (false teeth) that do not fit well. How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy? * Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. * Use dental floss dental floss n. A waxed or unwaxed thread used to remove food particles and plaque from the teeth. at least once a day. Flossing flossing, n the mechanical cleansing of interproximal tooth surfaces with stringlike, waxed or unwaxed dental floss or tape. flossing aids, n. helps prevent the buildup build·up also build-up n. 1. The act or process of amassing or increasing: a military buildup; a buildup of tension during the strike. 2. of plaque on your teeth. Plaque can harden and grow under your gums and cause problems. Using a sawing motion, gently bring the floss between the teeth, scraping from bottom to top several times. * Brush your teeth after each meal and snack. Use a soft toothbrush toothbrush, n a handheld device with an arrangement of bristles at one end, and a handle designed to reach effectively all exposed surfaces of the teeth and gingiva. . Turn the bristles against the gum line gum line n. The position of the margin of the gum in relation to teeth in the dental arch. and brush gently. Use small, circular motions In physics, circular motion is rotation along a circle: a circular path or a circular orbit. The rotation around a fixed axis of a three-dimensional body involves circular motion of its parts. . Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth. * If you wear false teeth, keep them clean. * Ask the person who cleans your teeth to show you the best way to brush and floss your teeth and gums. Ask this person about the best toothbrush and toothpaste to use. * Call your dentist right away if you have problems with your teeth and gums. * Call your dentist if you have red, sore, or bleeding gums; gums that are pulling away from your teeth; a sore tooth that could be infected; or soreness from your dentures. * Get your teeth and gums cleaned and checked by your dentist twice a year. * If your dentist tells you about a problem, take care of it right away. * Be sure your dentist knows that you have diabetes. * If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking. How can my dentist take care of my teeth and gums? * By cleaning and checking your teeth and gums twice a year. * By helping you learn the best way to brush and floss your teeth and gums. * By telling you if you have problems with your teeth or gums and what to do about them. * By making sure your false teeth fit well. Plan ahead. You may be taking a diabetes medicine that can make your blood sugar too low. This very low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia hypoglycemia: see diabetes. hypoglycemia Below-normal levels of blood glucose, quickly reversed by administration of oral or intravenous glucose. Even brief episodes can produce severe brain dysfunction. (hy-po-gly-SEE-mee-uh). If so, talk to your doctor and dentist before the visit about the best way to take care of your blood sugar during the dental work. You may need to bring some diabetes medicine and food with you to the dentist's office. If your mouth is sore after the dental work, you might not be able to eat or chew for several hours or days. For guidance on how to adjust your normal routine while your mouth is healing, ask your doctor * What foods and drinks you should have. * How you should change your diabetes medicines. * How often you should check your blood sugar. For more information Diabetes Teachers (nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other health professionals) To find a diabetes teacher near you, call the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
Recognized Diabetes Education Programs (teaching programs approved by the American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of ) To find a program near you, call toll-free at 1-800--DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or see www.diabetes.org/education/edustate2.asp on the Internet. Dietitians To find a dietitian near you, call the American Dietetic dietetic /di·e·tet·ic/ (di?ah-tet´ik) pertaining to diet or proper food. di·e·tet·ic adj. 1. Of or relating to diet. 2. Association's National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics dietetics /di·e·tet·ics/ (-iks) the science of diet and nutrition. di·e·tet·ics n. The branch of therapeutics concerned with the practical application of diet in relation to health and disease. toll-free at 1-800-366-1655, or look on the Internet at www.eatright.org and click on "Find a Dietitian." Government The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and as such its function is to the promote the general health of the American people, by improving their oral, dental and craniofacial health. (NIDCR NIDCR National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. ) is part of the National Institutes of Health. To learn more about tooth and gum problems, write or call NIDCR's information clearinghouse, the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse (NOHIC NOHIC National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse ), at 1 NOHIC Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3500, (301) 402-7364; or see www.nohic.nidcr.nih.gov on the Internet. More in the series The "Prevent Diabetes Problems" series includes seven booklets that can help you learn more about how to prevent diabetes problems. For free single copies of these booklets, call, write, fax, or email the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 Phone: (301) 654-3327 Fax: (301) 907-8906 Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov These booklets are also available under "Health Information" at www.niddk.nih.gov on the Internet. Acknowledgments The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse(NDIC) is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. thanks the people who helped review or field-test this booklet. For American Association of Diabetes Educators Lynn Grieger, R.D., C.D.E. Arlington, VT Celia Levesque, R.N., C.D.E. Montgomery, AL Teresa McMahon. Pharm. D., C.D.E. Seattle, WA Barbara Schreiner, R.N., M.N., C.D.E. Galveston, TX For American Diabetes Association Phyllis Barrier, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. Alexandria, VA Linda Haas, Ph.C., R.N., C.D.E. Seattle, WA Kathleen Mahoney, M.S.N., R.N., C.D.E. Drexel Hill, PA Randi Kington, M.S., R.N., C.S., C.D.E. Hartford, CT Diabetes Research and Training Center Albert Einstein School of Medicine Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, CT Jill Ely, R.N., C.D.E. Sam Engel. M.D. Pam Howard, A.P.R.N., C.D.E. Diabetes Research and Training Center Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN Madelyn Wheeler, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A., C.D.E. Diabetes Research and Training Center VA/JDF Diabetes Research Center Vanderbilt School of Medicine Nashville, TN Ok Chon Allison, M.S.N., R.N.C.S., A.N.P., C.D.E. Barbara Backer, B.S. James W. Pichert, Ph.D. Alvin Powers, M.D. Melissa E. Schweikhart Michael B. Smith Kathleen Wolffe. R.N. Grady Health System Diabetes Clinic Atlanta, GA Ernestine Baker, R.N., F.N.P., C.D.E. Kris Ernst, R.N., C.D.E. Margaret Fowke, R.D, L.D. Kay Mann, R.N., C.D.E. Marc Shlossman, D.D.S., M.S. Chandler, AZ Health Care Financing Administration Baltimore, MD Jan Drass, R.N., C.D.E. Indian Health Service Albuquerque. NM Ruth Bear. R.D., C.D.E. Dorinda Bradley, R.N., C.D.E. Terry Fisher, R.N. Lorraine Valdez, R.N., C.D.E. Indian Health Service Red Lake, MN Charmaine Branchaud, B.S.N., R.N., C.D.E. Medlantic Research Center Washington, DC Resa Levetan, M.D. Texas Diabetes Council Texas Department of Health Austin, TX Luby Garza-Abijaoude, M.S., R.D., L.D. |
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