Healthy Tips: Oral Care and Diabetes
Did you know that practicing good dental care was absolutely essential to people with Diabetes?
I didn’t until my dad was diagnosed with Diabetes several years ago. Gum disease and Diabetes runs in his side of the family so he has to be careful not to get any infections. He has to go to the dentist every 6 months. I have always laughed cried that pretty much every ailment that runs in either side of the family becomes my ailment so I have to be careful as well. Although, I have to admit that I went to the dentist (maybe)10 years ago and they started the gum planing on one side of my mouth. It hurt so bad that I never went back. I hear that once you start getting it every 6 months that it isn’t so bad. I need to get my diet under control (to help slow down Diabetes) and get my teeth healthy (to avoid Gum disease) because I’m just not a young chicky anymore.
The Boy and I decided we were going to encourage Papa (my dad) to take care of himself so we went shopping at Walmart Neighborhood Market this weekend while we were in Ft. Worth. Of course, we had to buy a new toothbrush and toothpaste for the boy as well. He found the Spongebob Squarepants toothpaste and matching battery operated toothbrush. We picked up several oral care products for Papa as well. You can see our full shopping trip in the Walmart Neighborhood Market – Colgate Total Oral Care Gift Basket Google Album.
People with diabetes are 2x times more likely to develop serious gum disease.
We put together a fun little gift basket of oral care products and The Boy couldn’t wait to get back to town and head over to visit Papa. We want to encourage him to take care of his teeth and his overall health so that he can keep up with this growing boy (who just happens to idolize his Papa)!!
Papa was happy to show off his new oral care products and hold the boy in his lap. He made us crop out the three large jars of candy that he was arranging when we arrived (but you can see them in that Google album above). He even mentioned that he had been experiencing tooth pain recently and needed to get back to the dentist. Good thing we reminded him!! 
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Healthy Tips: Oral Care and Diabetes
Colgate Total wants to get the word out that Diabetes and Oral Care go hand in hand. It’s time to teach our children and ourselves that good oral care is essential. Colgate Total products can help with that!! Download this Oral Care Guide for those with Diabetes and Check out Colgate.com for Popular Oral and Dental Info and these tips that we found useful!!
- Diabetes can lower the body’s resistance to infection and slow the healing process. These changes affect your teeth and gums. A common oral health problem associated with diabetes is periodontal disease.
- Keeping your own teeth is important for healthy eating. Natural teeth help you chew foods better and easier than you can with dentures. Because infections can make gums sore and uneven, dentures may not fit right.
- Take good care of your teeth and gums. At least twice a day, brush your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Use dental floss every day to clean between the teeth.
- Smoking makes gum problems worse.
How do you teach your children about good dental care?
Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. The original shop was compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Colgate. #ColgateTotal4Health #CBias #SocialFabric. All stories and opinions are my own.
That’s nice you reminded him he needs to get back to the dentist! It’s so important to go every 6 months!
Thank you for this post. My dad suffers from diabetes and has recently been having strong tooth pain. I had no idea that the two could be related but I will be passing this info along.
I remember when my Mom was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 that she mentioned she had to be careful with her teeth and visiting the dentist regularly. But your review was very thorough. Thanks for sharing.
Carol L
I didn’t know about diabetes & gum disease, I had known about heart disease risks, but this was very interesting. Diabetes doesn’t run in my family, but still I need to make sure my kids get regular checkups. I let too much time pass and then we’ve already had a few cavities. i can’t blame it on a hectic life-there’s no excuse when it comes to my kid’s health (or mine-‘lead by example’)
THANK YOU! I manage a dental office and so often people don’t see there is a connection between oral health and your entire body! Also-sooo many drugs people take these days can affect your oral healthcare! You have to make sure you keep regular visits to the dentist.
I never knew that diabetes and gum disease were related. I knew about other things but this is great information.
Great post. I will be passing this on to my children. I knew about the heart disease was apart oral care but didn’t about diabetes. That mouth mold your children are using is awesome to teach them about brushing.
I don’t think people understand the imporance of oral health to their overall health. There are several studies out there that show how poor oral health can lead to heart problems.
Will be passing this along to mjy siste r who is diabetic
I didn’t know about the connection between diabetes and gum disease. My mom had diabetes and it caused her many problems. What a fun way to educate your son… with the big tooth model and drill.
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I’d always heard that healthy teeth/oral care was more important to overall health than anyone ever realizes, but I didn’t know about it specifically in connection with diabetes. Just one more reason to take good care of teeth and gums!
My son has diabetes and I am aware of health issue caused by it but I never really knew about this one about oral care. I have heard that dental problems can cause other health issues. It is nice that your son is learning that teeth need to be taken care of. They need to learn that early in life. Take care of them gums to
What a great idea to include your son! Not only did he get to see his grandpa get a basket, he got some new oral care items himself!
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He is always happy to bring a present to his Papa…mostly because his Papa always gives him a present (every Sunday, actually)
Didn’t know that. I’ll have to pass this on to my family. I would hope they are taking care of their teeth already just because…
xo
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