Common Dental Problems - Diabetes, Dry Mouth

Diabetes

Long term research have shown a significant link between diabetes and oral health.

When your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, the oral cavity is more prone to develop infections such as, gingivitis, periodontitis, thrush (a fungal infection of the mouth) ultimately leading to tooth loss.

Diabetic patients should follow your physician’s instructions on blood sugar levels control, regular dental check-ups and practice good oral hygiene with twice-a-day brushing, flossing and using anti-cavity dental rinse.

Dry Mouth

 

Dry mouth is the condition that occurs when you don’t have sufficient saliva to keep your mouth wet. The symptoms include mouth sores, dry feeling in your mouth, tongue and throat, cracked lips, trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking. There are several reasons why salivary glands might not work properly, like side effects of medications, disease (like diabetes), undergoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy and nerve damages.

Dry mouth may cause you difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Also, it can increase your chance to developing dental decay, gum disease and bad mouth. You should  consider to consulting your dentist for treatment. 

What is/are the treatment(s) for dry mouth?

1) Prescribe medicine that will help make the salivary glands function more efficiently.

2) Use artificial saliva

3) Professional Fluoride treatment

4) Instructions and nutritional counseling by oral hygienist.

 

 

 

Reference information: www.bjdental.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your Dentist for diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention for Early Childhood Caries

Good dietary habits

• No more than six regular meals a day should be allowed. After 2 years of age, only let your child eat three meals per day and take sufficient amount of food during each meal. One snack is allowed in between meals if your child feels hungry.
• Do not let toddlers sleep with a bottle in their mouth.
• Try to use a cup instead of a bottle for feeding when the toddler is 12 months old.

Appropriately clean the child’s mouth everyday

• Starting from the baby’s birth, parents should use gauze, cotton, or towel moistened with drinking water to clean the baby’s mouth.
• Wipe the front teeth when they are erupted.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush the teeth daily when the deciduous molars are erupted.
• If the child knows how to spit out water, you can let him brush with children’s fluoride toothpaste (a pea sized blob) every morning and before bed at night. Every night after the child brushes, parents should supplement his/her brushing.

Regular dental check-up annually

A child should have his/her first oral check-up six months after he/she has his/her first tooth or when he/she is one year old. After that, parents should bring their children for regular dental check-up at least once per year.

Reference information: www.bjdental.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your Dentist for diagnosis and treatment.