Welcome to the office of Dr. Mark Andrews. If you’re looking to enhance or completely transform your smile, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Andrews is committed to providing each patient with the highest level of dentistry and customer service.
Throughout his career, Dr. Andrews has made it his mission to provide the highest level of care and service to his patients. Because he is a perfectionist, Dr. Andrews always displays unfailing attention to detail while performing techniques that are supported by the best clinical research.
Dr. Andrews and his staff are committed to producing long-lasting, beautiful, natural-looking results.
Enjoy a dental experience unlike any other by visiting our office today.
If you have diabetes, you are used to taking extra care of your health. Did you know that having diabetes makes you more prone to dental problems? It’s important to take good care of your teeth and gums because dental problems can also affect your overall health. Read on to find out the correlation between diabetes and your dental health.
Risk of Infection
Diabetes puts you at a higher risk than usual of developing infections, and it can also make it so your body doesn’t fight off infections as easily as it did before you developed diabetes. If you notice that your gums are inflamed or you have a toothache, it’s important to see your dentist promptly. You might need an antibiotic or other treatment to prevent a widespread infection or other complications.
Risk of Thrush
Some people with diabetes tend to get oral thrush when they take antibiotics. Thrush is an overgrowth of fungus, and it can cause white patches in the mouth, bleeding, and pain. There are antifungal treatments available, so see your doctor or dentist if you have these symptoms, particularly if you’ve been on antibiotics recently.
Good Practices for Better Oral Health
Everyone should brush twice daily and floss before bed, but if you have diabetes, you need to take a few extra steps. First, it’s best to brush 30 minutes after each meal. If you can’t do this, make it a point to chew sugarless gum containing xylitol, which can reduce bacteria in the mouth. Keep your blood sugar levels as steady as you can, and take precautions against dry mouth, which can exacerbate tooth decay. Sip water frequently and suck on sugarless lozenges.
If you have questions about how you can keep your mouth healthy as a diabetic, please give our office a call. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment to go over your oral health regimen and evaluate you for any problems.
