Diabetes and Dental Care

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood. Our body has to maintain the blood glucose level at a very narrow range, which is done with insulin and glucagons Diabetes is the common name for a range of conditions including diabetes mellitus type one and diabetes mellitus type two, diabetes insipidus nd gestational diabetes.

These are all conditions, which affect how the pancreas (an organ behind your stomach in the digestive system) secretes insulin or how the body reacts to this hormone. Insulin is a hormone that is required to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Depending on the type and severity, diabetes is controlled by dietary measures, weight loss, oral medication or injected or inhaled insulin.

Diabetes is a disease that can affect the whole body – eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and other important systems in the body. It can also affect mouth. People with diabetes face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems.

Dental care is particularly important for people with diabetes. This is because they face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems due to poorly controlled blood sugars.