Dental implants can make a smile look fabulous – I know I have them. However, if you are just thinking about getting them, you may have a lot of questions. You may be wondering how smoking affects implants, whether or not wine will stain them, if they can be whitened or other concerns. I also know from experience that it can be intimidating to ask some of these questions to your dentist. In my dental implant blog, I am going to answer the questions that can be hard to ask. I hope you find the info you need in this blog and that it guides you to the right decision about dental implants. Thanks for reading!
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Why Do You Need to Tell Your Dentist That Your Child is Diabetic?
Isobel Berry
If your child has been diagnosed with diabetes, your primary healthcare focus is likely to be working with your doctors to manage your child's condition. However, in addition to medical help, you should also make sure that your dentist knows that your child has diabetes.
Diabetes can increase the risk of developing problems with the gums and teeth, and making your dentist aware that your child is diabetic may help keep these kinds of problems at bay. How can diabetes affect your child's oral health and what warning signs should you look out for?
Diabetes and Your Gums
Blood sugar levels have various effects on the body. In dental terms, your child's blood sugar levels may affect their ability to ward off infections and deal with them. This reduced healing ability increases the risk and the development of gum disease.
If you notice that your child has red or inflamed gums or that their gums bleed when brushing, then you should make an appointment to see your dentist. This isn't just about dealing with current gum problems; gum infections may trigger problems with your child's blood sugar levels, affecting their overall diabetes control program.
Diabetes and Your Teeth
One of the side effects of diabetes is a dry mouth; this dryness may be made worse by the drugs your child takes to manage their condition. The mouth needs a constant supply of saliva to clean around the teeth and gums. If this saliva dries up, this natural cleansing effect may be lost, and your child may become more prone to getting tooth decay.
If your child complains of a dry mouth, talk to your dentist about ways to get more fluid into the mouth. For example, chewing sugar-free gum and eating moist foods may help improve saliva production. Your dentist may also be able to help the situation by recommending products such as toothpastes or mouthwashes that help counter the effects of a dry mouth. In severe cases, your dentist, or doctor, may be able to recommend artificial saliva products that may help moisten the mouth.
While every child should have regulardental check-ups, kids with diabetes really do need to stick with the program. A good oral health regime - and an early helping hand when you spot possible problems - can help keep diabetes-related dental problems at bay. Plus, if your child does develop problems, an early diagnosis and treatment can prevent them from developing more severe issues down the line.
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