Patients with diabetes need to pay close attention to their oral and dental health. Those with poor blood sugar control are at a higher risk of developing periodontitis because they are more susceptible to aggressive bacterial infections and have a reduced ability to fight off infections.
Diabetes and Teeth: Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a complication that can affect diabetic patients. It can hinder the control of hyperglycemia because periodontal pockets can harbor chronic infections, which trigger a series of events leading to insulin resistance.
Therefore, diabetic patients must pay close attention to their oral hygiene: they should brush their teeth after every meal, use dental floss, monitor for any gum bleeding, and have regular check-ups with their trusted dentist.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of losing one or more teeth because their teeth become less stable and are more likely to fall out. However, this can be prevented with modern dental treatments.
Diabetes and Oral Surgery
If a diabetic patient needs to undergo oral surgery (such as tooth extractions or implantology), it is advisable to use antibiotic therapies to strengthen the immune system.
Additionally, in diabetic patients, wounds take longer to heal because high blood sugar levels can delay tissue repair. This is due to alterations in blood circulation.
Diabetes and Dental Implants
At Freesmile, before performing implantology procedures on diabetic patients, we prefer to assess each case individually. If a patient has well-controlled diabetes and can manage their condition and oral hygiene carefully, we generally proceed with implantology. For patients with uncontrolled diabetes, however, the situation requires a more thorough evaluation, as the risk of implant failure is higher.
In any case, the procedure should be performed in a protected and adequately equipped environment. These guidelines are crucial for all patients, but especially for those with diabetes. Dental implants will last longer only if the patient maintains meticulous oral hygiene and regularly visits the dentist or dental hygienist for professional cleanings.
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