You may know that you can’t have a healthy smile without healthy gums. But your gum health can impact your overall health too. This is especially true if you are diabetic.

Since November is American Diabetes Month, it seems like a good time to highlight the importance of keeping your gums in good shape. As this video explains, diabetics are more prone to gum disease. If your gums become infected, it causes your blood sugar to increase and makes it harder to keep your diabetes under control. 

The best way to prevent gum disease is with good oral hygiene – including daily brushing and flossing and visits to our office every six months for an exam and cleaning. During your cleaning, we’ll remove the plaque and tartar that cause disease. Your exam gives us a chance to spot disease in its earliest stages when it’s easiest to treat. For your gums, that may mean a deep-cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing and/or application of topical antibiotics. 

If you’re due for a cleaning and exam, call us at 513-802-9440 to schedule your next appointment in Cincinnati. Don’t wait until your next exam to see us if you notice any signs of gum disease, like bleeding gums or chronic bad breath.