Diabetes Dental Challenges

Studies show that diabetes increases your risk for gum disease. Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is important. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Diabetes reduces your body's ability to fight bacteria. Higher blood sugar levels also increase the incidence of plaque on your teeth and around the gumline. More severe gum disease (periodontitis) can cause an infection in your gums, which can result in higher blood sugar levels and more challenges with controlling the disease. And people with diabetes may experience more severe cases of periodontal disease.

If you have diabetes, it's important to have regular dental exams and dental cleanings. Make sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes, because it can significantly affect your oral health. At home, you need to establish excellent daily oral health habits.

The Waterpik® Water Flosser is one of the few home care products clinically tested with people who have diabetes. The results of a clinical study showed that the Waterpik® Water Flosser with the Pik Pocket™ Tip was significantly more effective than routine oral care in reducing gingivitis symptoms in diabetic patients.

When added to tooth brushing, a Waterpik® Water Flosser is ideal for a diabetic's oral health because it can significantly reduce plaque, bleeding, and gingivitis better than tooth brushing alone.