EACH YEAR, OVER 15,000 kids are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. And still more children are at risk for adult-onset diabetes. This growing disease can cause many health complications, including risks to your child’s oral health.
It’s Everyone’s Obligation To Help Educate
With over 300 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes, we want to be sure you understand the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Unfortunately, many, many people are unaware of the connection, so it really becomes everyone’s responsibility to help the people we know and love be more informed and aware.
Kids Are At Risk For Gum Disease Too—Especially If They Have Diabetes
Did you know that kids can get gum disease too? Especially kids with diabetes. Diabetes lowers a person’s ability to fight infection in his or her mouth and gums, which is essentially what gum disease is—infection caused by excessive bacteria hanging out at the gum line and in the mouth. And, there’s also a big catch 22. While diabetes can contribute to gum disease, the gum disease (in return) can exacerbate diabetes. Gum disease can further increase risk for problems that diabetics are prone to—things like kidney disease, heart disease and stroke. And just like other infections, it can cause blood sugar levels to rise. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8HFuW8Hs_o&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0]
Our Tips For Diabetic Patients:
- First, be active, eat right, and keep your diabetes under control.
- Brush at least twice a day, and floss once a day.
- If your child has diabetes, let our team know! We’ll keep an eye on any oral health problems that may arise.
Keep An Eye Out For The Symptoms
It’s much easier to reign in gum disease if you catch it early. So if you notice these early signs in your child, talk to our practice.
- a change in bite
- receding gums (which will make teeth feel sensitive)
- swollen, red, or tender gums
- bleeding when brushing or flossing
Would You Like To Learn More?
Click on the image below to read more about this topic from the American Diabetes Association:
Do you have questions for us about diabetes and your family’s oral health? Please ask us! Leave a comment below, give us a call, or message us on Facebook.
