Diabetes and your oral health
I am a bad boy. I suffer from hypoglycemia and used it to eliminate the one and half hour wait at a restaurant Friday night. I told the manager: “I cant wait until 10:30pm to eat; I need food NOW.” She accommodated us and took us to a table immediately. I was getting light-headed and nauseous and was most appreciated of the manager’s efforts. Bravo people of Jupiter. (I apologize I cant remember the name of the restaurant, but it is a new-ish Asian-Fusion establishment.)
Those with diabetes need to see the dentist regularly too:
Why? The dry mouth causes many issues:
- Cavities
- Bad breath
- A sore tongue or throat
- Trouble chewing, speaking, or swallowing
- Makes dentures not fit correctly
- Fungal infections in the mouth called thrush or candida.
- Poor healing from gum procedures and extractions
- Tips for dry mouth: (also caused by many medications)
- Sipping water or sugarless drinks that do not contain caffeine.
- Sucking on ice chips
- Chewing sugar-free gym or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate salivary flow
Avoid:
- Salty or spicy foods
- Alcoholic or caffeine-containing beverages
- Using tobacco
Prevention of cavities must include brushing and flossing and seeing the hygienists every four months.
Disclosure: I don’t recommend feigning illness to get a table in a restaurant. (Unless the wait is one hour or more!)