Why should I brush and floss my teeth if I have diabetes?
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American Dental Association answered:Brushing twice daily for two minutes each with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily is important for everyone, but especially for people with diabetes. Those with diabetes are at greater risk for developing some oral health problems, including gum disease, fungal infections and delayed healing. Gum disease is caused by plaque. Leaving this sticky build up on your teeth can cause oral health problems. Brushing and flossing will help in preventing this.Brushing twice daily for two minutes each with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily is important for everyone, but especially for people with diabetes. Those with diabetes are at greater risk for developing some oral health problems,... More -
American Diabetes Association answered:Research shows that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes. The goal of your daily tooth brushing and flossing is to clean away plaque. When plaque stays put, it hardens into tartar. Tartar builds up under the gum line. More plaque forms over the tartar. Only your dentist or dental hygienist can get tartar off your teeth.Research shows that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes. The goal of your daily tooth brushing and flossing is to clean away plaque. When plaque stays put, it hardens into tartar. Tartar builds up under the gum... More -
Dr. Saul Miller answered:If you have teeth, you have to clean them with brush and floss to keep them and the surrounding gums healthy. The brush alone will not clean between the teeth, no matter how hard you try. You must use floss, or other interproximal cleaning device recommended by your dentist, hygienist or dental assistant.
Flossing should be an important part of your oral hygiene regimen. It is an essential tool in helping to prevent decay and gum disease by removing plaque accumulation on the teeth. Also, diabetes can affect the health of the gums and diseased gums may also have an effect on control of diabetes. The American Dental Association states that “Treating gum disease in people with diabetes can help improve blood sugar control. Conversely, not taking care of the problem can make it more difficult to keep blood sugar levels under control. The resulting high blood sugar can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body.” Therefore, it is obviously better to prevent and/or control gum disease than to require professional treatment of the disease and its ongoing problems.
If you have teeth, you have to clean them with brush and floss to keep them and the surrounding gums healthy. The brush alone will not clean between the teeth, no matter how hard you try. You must use floss, or other interproximal cleaning device... More -
Carol Jahn answered:People with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease. Therefore it is very important to practice good home care each day. Brushing twice daily with a manual or power brush is the first step. Cleaning between teeth is often overlooked yet necessary to maintain good gum health. Because floss is challenging to use for many people, they simply 'forget' to do it. The good news is that other product like toothpicks and interproximal brushes are great alternatives to floss and easy to use. One product, the Water Flosser has been shown to be as effective as string floss and to reduce bleeding and gingivitis effectively in people with diabetes.
People with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease. Therefore it is very important to practice good home care each day. Brushing twice daily with a manual or power brush is the first step. Cleaning between teeth is often overlooked yet... More
