In short, yes! When your child is diagnosed with diabetes, everyday things can become more of a challenge. As a parent, you’re constantly juggling to maintain the important balance of food, activity, and administering medications to control their blood sugar. If those blood sugars are not controlled, the complications can become a tremendous issue.
Studies have shown that children with diabetes are 2x more likely to develop serious gum disease. Gum disease can cause blood sugar levels to rise, which can make it harder to control diabetes. Should it go untreated, the gum disease can cause tooth sensitivity, decomposition of bone tissue around the teeth, as well as, eventual tooth loss.
It’s important that your child sees a specialist who is trained to cater to the specific needs at hand. Your child’s diabetes is no exception!
March 24th was American Diabetes Alert Day. This awareness day is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. Their goal is to raise awareness of the risks of the Disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association, “nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States are Diabetic. 86 million Americans have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.”
That’s a large segment of the population! As a pediatric dentist, my staff and I are specifically trained to deal with the special health concerns of children and adolescents.
The Link Between Diabetes and Dental Care
Extra vigilance in the oral hygiene department is necessary for anyone facing diabetes, especially children.
Diabetes also reduces a person’s ability to fight bacteria. A healthy person’s saliva helps to whisk away the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Of course, proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing are imperative for everyone, but for those with diabetes, these things become even more important as decay and gum disease sets in a lot faster.
For children with diabetes, a proactive approach to oral care sets them up for a healthier lifestyle as they grow-up. And, as pediatric dentists, we are well versed in the special needs of our young patients.
We understand that you need to schedule your child’s appointments around their particular schedule. And we understand how important it is to monitor your child’s sugar levels throughout the course of the day.
The thing about working with children, is that they are not yet able to advocate for themselves. This is where we like to team up with you to ensure they receive the care they need.
We Can Help!
Pediatric dentistry is our specialty. Our entire staff works to maintain the health and safety of all our patients. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s appointment, please ask. We want to work with you to achieve a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child.
A Healthy Mouth is a Happy Mouth!
~Dr. Duffy
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