Dental care | Diabetes Hub
Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to oral complications. Learn about dental care, and the things you can do to keep your mouth in healthy condition.
CONTRIBUTED BY
Ministry of Health
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Dental care
Keep your mouth healthy
It is important to keep your mouth healthy especially when you are suffering from diabetes.
Good Dental Practices
Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day (in the morning and before sleeping) for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and change every 3 months or when bristles spread out
If you wear dentures, clean them after every meal. Remove, clean and soak dentures in water before sleeping
Clean in between your teeth with a floss or interdental brush at least once a day
Tilt the brush at an angle to your gum line, moving it in a small circular motions across all front, back and chewing surfaces of your teeth, not forgetting the back molars
Visit a dentist every 6 months to 1 year to check your teeth. Let the dentist know about your blood sugar control and the medication you are taking
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Dental care prevents such complications
With proper dental care, you can reduce the risk of oral complications, including:
Persistent bleeding gums
White patches in your mouth
Receding gum lines
Loose or shaky adult teeth and/or widening gaps between your adult teeth
Pain in your mouth
Bad breath or dry burning sensation in your mouth
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CONTRIBUTED BY
Ministry of Health
