What are diabetes problems?
Too much glucose in the blood for a long time causes diabetes
problems. This high blood glucose can damage many parts of the body, such
as the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Diabetes problems can be scary,
but there is a lot you can do to prevent them or slow them down.
|
|
High blood glucose
can cause tooth and gum problems.
|
This booklet is about tooth and gum problems caused by diabetes. You
will learn the things you can do each day and during each year to stay
healthy and prevent diabetes problems.
Top
What should I do each day to stay healthy with
diabetes?
|
Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian
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 glucose every day. Each time you check your blood
glucose, 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 your teeth and gums every day.
|
|
Don't smoke.
|
Top
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 glucose
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 glucose stays high. High blood
glucose 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, especially if you have diabetes and are age 45 or older.Red, sore, and bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. This can
lead to periodontitis (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.
|
Check your teeth and gums for signs of problems
from diabetes.
|
Top
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
Top
How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy?
- Keep your blood glucose as close to normal as possible
- Use dental floss at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent the buildup
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.
Turn the bristles against the gum line and brush gently. Use small,
circular motions. Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth
|
Brush and floss your teeth and gums every day.
|
- 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
Top
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
|
Get your teeth cleaned and checked twice a
year.
|
Plan ahead. You may be taking a diabetes medicine that can make your
blood glucose too low. This very low blood glucose is called hypoglycemia
(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 glucose 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 glucose
Top
For more informationDiabetes Teachers(nurses,
dietitians, pharmacists, and other health professionals)
To find a diabetes teacher near you, call the American Association
of Diabetes Educators toll-free at 1-800-TEAMUP4 (1-800-832-6874), or
look on the Internet atwww.aadenet.organd click on "Find an Educator." Recognized Diabetes Education Programs(teaching programs approved
by the American Diabetes Association)
To find a program near you, call toll-free at 1-800-DIABETES
(1-800-342-2383), or seewww.diabetes.org/education/edustate2.aspon the Internet.  Dietitians
To find a dietitian near you, call the American Dietetic Association's
National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics toll-free at 1-800-366-1655,
or look on the Internet atwww.eatright.organd click on "Find a Dietitian."
Government
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
(NIDCR) 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), at 1 NOHIC
Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3500, (301) 402-7364; or seewww.nohic.nidcr.nih.govon the Internet.
Top
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 printed copies of these booklets, call, write, fax, or
e-mail the
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
Phone: 1-800-860-8747 or (301) 654-3327
Fax: (301) 907-8906
Email:ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Top
Acknowledgments The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse thanks
the people who helped review or field-test this booklet.
|
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
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.
|
Top
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
Email:ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service of
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1978, the clearinghouse
provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes and to their
families, health care professionals, and the public. NDIC answers inquiries,
develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional
and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources
about diabetes.Publications produced by the clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by
both NIDDK scientists and outside experts.This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse encourages users of
this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
NIH Publication No. 00-4280
| Copyright © 2002, 2003 Colgate-Palmolive Company.
All rights reserved.
|
|
