Diabetes and Oral Health Sandy Springs, GA

Diabetes can have an effect on many aspects of overall health and daily living. It puts patients at risk for complications that can affect eyesight, organ function as well as dental problems.

Patients with diabetes are at a much greater risk of developing periodontal disease due to the body’s reduced immune response to bacteria on surfaces of the teeth and gums. Medications can contribute to a condition known as “dry mouth”, leading to plaque build-up, significantly increasing the incidence of gum disease and tooth decay.

Fluctuations in blood sugar lead to fluctuations in the sugar levels in saliva, which can detrimentally start or increase cavity activity, especially at the necks of the teeth. You may have gone years without cavities till the onset of Diabetes!

Research now shows that “patients who received periodontal intervention after being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes had lower overall health care costs in subsequent years”, resulting in saving thousands of dollars. (Kamyarn Nasseh Ph.D. and Marko Vujicic Ph.D. Health Economics 1-22-2016)

It is important to maintain your dental health with preventive care visits, providing Dr. Paulen the opportunity to offer individualized dental care and to spot problems early on. During routine visits, you will receive a thorough periodontal screening to look for the early signs of gum disease and tooth decay, avoiding permanent damage to teeth and gums.

Keeping your smile healthy and functional supports a healthy, varied diet and has also been shown to improve the management of disease for those with diabetes.