Living With Diabetes: Why Oral Health Is So Important
Written By Kris Louis / Reviewed By Ray Spotts
Living with diabetes can be difficult even with proper medical care. It affects every part of the body. Elevated blood sugar levels for a prolonged amount of time can affect the kidneys, eyes, and cardiovascular system, including an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. High blood sugar can also affect the teeth and gums.
Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to dry mouth, gum sores, and periodontal disease. Not only that, but it is actually a two-way street. Serious gum disease can affect blood glucose levels, which is a problem because people living with diabetes can have trouble fighting off infection.
That’s why it’s so important for individuals who are living with diabetes - either type 1 or 2 - to keep their blood sugar under control. They should see the dentist regularly for check-ups and take excellent care of their teeth and gums by brushing and flossing every day. Here are a few tips on how to implement good oral hygiene habits into your daily routine.
Keep your blood glucose under control
One of the first and best steps in keeping your mouth and body healthy is to keep your blood glucose under control. Depending on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend a course of treatment that includes insulin, or you may be able to control your blood sugar through your diet.
Most diabetic individuals find success with whole grains, vegetables, and proteins while staying away from refined sugars, and limiting natural sugar intake such as fruits.
Control your weight
Weight control can be very helpful, but it may be harder for individuals with diabetes to get started, or they may hit a plateau and become frustrated. Talk to your doctor about the best exercises.
It’s possible to build an inexpensive home gym so you can stay on top of your workouts, or you might decide to incorporate sustainable healthy habits into your lifestyle and daily routine, such as going for long walks after dinner.
Quit smoking
It may be easier said than done but quitting smoking can significantly improve your ability to keep your glucose levels under control and your mouth healthy. Not only that, but it will also help keep your heart in shape. There are more ways to go about quitting these days, including nicotine lozenges or gum to wean yourself off the cravings.
Practice self-care
Self-care is extremely important when you’re living with diabetes. This means making sure you take your medication as directed, monitor your blood sugar, stick to a healthy diet, and keep to a routine of exercise that has been approved by your doctor.
Keeping stress and anxiety to a minimum can help prevent blood pressure and heart issues. You can reduce stress by accepting stress for what it is, learning your triggers and emulating those you know who are great stress managers.
Living with diabetes can be difficult even at the best of times, and it is so important to take good care of yourself to ensure that you don’t have future health issues. Talk to your doctor and family members about the best ways to stay healthy and create a routine you can stick with. This will make it easier to implement in your daily life and keep it up.
Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list.
Written By:
Kris Louis is mom to two rambunctious boys. Her oldest is 10 and her youngest is seven. A former advertising copywriter, she recently created parentingwithkris.com, where she puts her skills to work writing about the trials and tribulations of parenting. Kris, her husband, and two boys live in Durham, NC.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.