Why should diabetic patients seek more frequent dental cleanings?

Besides having clean teeth, for some patients that are medically compromised the AmericanDental Association requires 3 to 4 month interval for cleanings.  In fact, there are some studies that prove a link between the health of your gums and cardiovascular disease. This is true especially in diabetic patients.

The immune system of diabetic patients is slow to wound healing and yet reactive in presence of teeth plaque, causing bone loss around teeth.

I recommend the following to our patients:

• 3 to 4 month interval cleanings
• The use of NdYag Soft tissue laser
• Nightly use of Perioscience
• Annual measurements of gums
• Use of Arestin (antibiotic) with a 6 mm pocket.

Besides teeth cleaning, managing your sugar level is the most important thing. Personally, I have seen my brother control his diabetes through weight management.

If you still need more info, check out here what Mayo clinic is saying about necessity of teeth cleaning.