People with diabetes can have tooth and gum problems more often if their blood glucose stays high.
High blood glucose can make tooth and gum problems worse.
You can even lose your teeth.
Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone.
A sticky film full of germs, called plaque (plak), builds up on your teeth.
High blood glucose helps germs, also called bacteria, grow.
Then you can get red, sore, and swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.
Red, sore, and bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease.
These problems can lead to periodontitis (PAIR-ee-oh-don-TY-tiss).
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.
If you have a sweet tooth, chances are good you are wondering how in the world you will turn it off long enough to keep your blood sugar levels low.
One ideal solution is an artificial sweetener.
There are several on the market today that can be easily used in your diet to sweeten foods very naturally like standard sugars but without the same effect on the body.
Sugar substitutes are what they are generally called.
These add sweetness without adding calories too.
Most of the time, you will find that they are sweeter to taste then the same amount of sugar, therefore reducing the amount you need, too.
This presents a unique situation.
Not only are they okay to consume, but you can sweeten foods in such a way to gain the taste that you crave but with fewer calories.
This in itself is a reason may people switch to sweeteners.
Here's another benefit to you: They don't affect your blood sugar, meaning you can't raise your blood sugar by increasing your consumption of them.
The biggest advantage is that you won't be coating your teeth with sugar therefore helping to prevent tooth decay.
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 Your teeth are very important in giving you the confidence to smile and feel good about yourself.
If untreated tooth or gum conditions are not properly treated, you could end up with no teeth at all.
If you are diabetic you are actually at a higher risk for periodontal disease so visit your dentist regularly for check ups and cleanings.
Along with brushing your teeth everyday you will also need to use mouthwash in order to help prevent gingivitis and tartar build up.
Be very cautious about what is going into your mouth.
Do not forget to floss too, that will also help in preventing some of these occurrences.
Something to remember: if you are diabetic and are suffering with tooth and gum diseases is that you will have trouble following the proper diet .
Not being able to follow a nutritional diet when you are diabetic can create some very serious problems for your health.
So having good healthy teeth and gums is so important, not only for your vanity but so that you will have the proper tools to enjoy those delicious foods without being in terrible amounts of pain.