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According to experts, diabetes is the most common cause of death in women and second for men in South Africa, where an estimated 12.9% of the adult population have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Furthermore – according to the International Diabetes Federation – a vast number of people with diabetes are undiagnosed.
The dentist may not be the first medical professional you’d associate with diabetes, but there is a powerful bi-directional link between diabetes and oral health. Proactive oral care can reduce your risk of developing diabetes and it’s essential for living well with diabetes. There is an established two-way relationship between diabetes and oral health.
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to process sugar and higher glucose levels in your saliva put you at higher risk of bleeding gums, cavities, gum disease and bad breath. In addition to the sugar issue, an estimated 42% of people with diabetes experience dry mouth, medically known as xerostomia, which is another risk factor for several dental health issues. People with diabetes can also tend to have a lower resistance to infection and heal more slowly, which can also further exacerbate gum problems.
At the same time, people with gum disease have been shown to have poorer blood sugar control and are at higher risk of various diabetes-related complications as a result. People with periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease, are also more likely to become type 2 diabetic. In support of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Dirna Grobbelaar, oral hygiene advisor for Sunstar GUM, has put together an easy-to-follow daily oral care routine to help children and adults with diabetes protect their oral health and general well-being. Sunstar GUM has globally supported research on the relationship between diabetes and oral health for more than 30 years, inspired by the company’s founder, Kunio Kaneda, who lived with the condition.
“A meticulous daily oral care routine is the best way to prevent most oral health problems and is even more important if you have diabetes,” said Grobbelaar. “A healthy mouth can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.”
- Brush: The most important part of a daily oral care routine is to brush the teeth correctly at least twice a day. Brush for two minutes each time, cleaning every tooth with a gentle, circular motion. Use either a manual brush or a power brush with soft bristles. Brushing too hard can damage your gums.
- Clean in-between: Daily interdental cleaning is critical to remove plaque from between the teeth and under the gumline. Use floss or another interdental tool like Sunstar GUM interdental brushes and Soft-Picks Advanced. If you’re not sure which tool or size to choose, ask your dental professional.
- Rinse: To reach areas that brushing and floss can’t reach, rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash for extra confidence.
“In addition to your daily 1, 2, 3 routine, people with diabetes should partner up with their dental professional to help them maintain a healthy mouth,” added Grobbelaar. She recommends scheduling an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible after being given a diabetes diagnosis, then going for regular check-ups and professional cleanings, ideally every six months or more often. “Remind your dentist that you have diabetes each time you visit.” Grobbelaar says that although meticulous oral care is more important for people with diabetes, it doesn’t have to be more complicated. “With an effective daily routine, the right tools and professional support people with diabetes can easily maintain a beautiful smile and live well.”
For more information on diabetes and oral care visit https://bit.ly/diabetes-oralcare.
For Dirna Grobbelaar’s step by step guide on how to ‘floss like a boss’ and ace your interdental cleaning routine click here https://bit.ly/Interdental-Cleaning.
Read also:
https://www.citizen.co.za/parys-gazette/41387/diabetes-in-children/
