Can Diabetes Affect Your Orthodontic Treatment?

Besides causing a less appealing smile, orthodontic issues like overcrowding, large teeth gaps, and misalignments can significantly impact the ability to chew and speak properly. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can correct these issues and enhance your smile and oral function.

However, people with underlying health conditions like diabetes are often concerned about whether their condition can affect their orthodontic treatments. In this article, let’s discuss more about getting orthodontic treatment for diabetes.

How Diabetes Affects Oral Health

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugars. Recent studies show that more than 500 million adults globally have diabetes, which continues to rise.

While diabetes affects your blood sugar levels, it can also influence other aspects of your health, including oral health. For instance, diabetes can contribute to too much sugar in the saliva, encouraging the growth of oral bacteria.

This increases your risk of periodontal disease, fungal infections, tooth decay, and slow wound healing. Diabetes and some of its medications can also contribute to a dry mouth, further increasing your risk of oral issues.

What’s Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontics are dental treatments used to straighter teeth and correct other problems related to your bite, like large teeth gaps, misaligned jaw, and overcrowding. These treatments apply gentle pressure to your jaw or teeth to move them into proper alignment.

Based on your condition and needs, several orthodontic options exist, including traditional braces and clear aligners. Our orthodontist in Philadelphia, PA, will examine your mouth and help you choose the right orthodontic treatment that meets your needs.

Diabetes and Orthodontic Treatment

The good news is that you can have orthodontic treatments if you have diabetes. Common concerns that may arise when getting an orthodontic with diabetes include:

• Slower healing. Since orthodontic treatments involve moving your teeth or jaw, it relies on your body’s ability to heal and regenerate tissues. People with diabetes experience slower wound healing, which can greatly slower tooth movements and overall bite alignment.
• Gum disease. Another key concern with diabetes is gum disease. Diabetes increases your risk of gum disease, which can significantly affect your orthodontic treatment. Gum disease can cause mild to serious symptoms like gum soreness, swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity, making orthodontic treatment unbearable. This can delay or terminate the treatment to prevent additional issues. Healthy gums are essential for successful orthodontic treatments.

Successful Orthodontic Treatment with Diabetes

Fortunately, diabetes shouldn’t prevent you from aligning your smile with orthodontics. Below are effective tips for improving your chances of successful orthodontic treatment with diabetes:

• Keep your diabetes under control. Maintaining your blood sugar levers under control significantly minimizes the risk of gum infection and other complications that can affect your orthodontic treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions about medications, exercise, and diet to keep your diabetes under control.
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene. With or without diabetes, regular brushing and flossing significantly help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, allowing you to undergo orthodontic treatment successfully without any issues.
• Proper diet. Since orthodontic treatments and diabetes can make your gums sensitive, your diet matters. Consider a soft diet consisting of healthy and nutrient-rich foods and beverages. Limit or avoid sugars and beverages high in sugar, salts, acids, and spices. This will help you undergo your orthodontic treatment swiftly without any issues.
• Avoid tobacco products. If you smoke and have diabetes, your risk of gum disease and other oral issues is very high, which can compromise your orthodontic treatment. Quitting or limiting tobacco products is important for a successful orthodontic treatment.
• Regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Regular check-ups and cleanings can help monitor and address potential issues promptly. Through professional cleanings, you can lower your risk of oral issues, allowing you to get orthodontic treatment without any complications successfully.

Get Orthodontics in Philadelphia, PA

Do you have diabetes, and you’re interested in orthodontic treatments? Our orthodontist near you can work with your doctor to devise a customized plan for your unique needs. This may involve keeping your diabetes under control while maintaining optimal oral health to avoid potential complications. For more information about diabetes and orthodontic care, contact Elegance in Dentistry.