Diabetes And Dental Implants - Tips To Ensure Success

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If you have diabetes, then you probably know you are more likely to form gum disease and cavities. Both high glucose levels and poor circulation can cause these difficulties. You may even lose a tooth if you do not control your blood sugar levels. If you do lose a tooth, then you may be able to receive a dental implant. Complications can occur though, due to your diabetes, so follow some of the tips below so your implant is successful.

Control Blood Sugar Levels

If you want a success dental implant, then it is wise to control your blood sugar levels both before and after your surgical operation. This will help to keep your gums healthy before the procedure, so bacteria do not have the opportunity to infect the wound site. It will also assist your surgeon with keeping your jaw bone clean so that bacteria do not eat away at your jaw. This is very important, because bone cells need to grow around the implant root. This secures the device in place so it does not shift or move.

You also need to control blood sugar levels after your surgery to prevent infections. If infections are not controlled, then a serious condition like peri-implantitis can occur. In some cases, this can result in the removal of the implant.  

Change Your Diet

Many people with diabetes take medications that allow them some flexibility when it comes to the diet. This means that you may be able to eat some sugars as long as your blood sugar remains in the normal range. If you undergo dental implant surgery, then these levels should be kept on the lower end of the spectrum to reduce infection risks. This means that you should try to reduce the amount of sugars and carbohydrates that you eat every day.

Start changing your diet about two or three weeks before implant surgery. Many diabetic meal plans indicate that you can eat about six starchy foods a day. Consider cutting this number down to three a day and make sure to stay away from candy. Also, try to eat fruits that do not contain a great deal of sugar. Lemons, raspberries, limes, blackberries, and cranberries are good choices.  

Eat seven or eight servings of vegetables a day, because some of these foods are low in sugar. Try do stay away from carrots, beets, bell peppers, and corn though, because these foods do contain sugar. Consider eating broccoli, kale, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, and cucumbers. Make sure to eat lean meats each day and three or more servings of dairy foods as well.

Exercise Before Surgery

Your oral surgeon will inform you not to partake in excessive amounts of activity after your dental implant is secured. This can cause blood to surge through the surgical area and bleeding may occur. This means that you cannot exercise for several weeks after your operation. It is wise to exercise beforehand though, so circulation can improve. Diabetes causes poor circulation, because high blood sugar levels force plaque to build on the insides of the blood vessels. This narrows the vessels and forces blood to move more slowly through the body.

Good circulation is important after oral surgery though, so the gums and jaw bone can receive both the oxygen and nutrition they need to heal properly. You can improve your circulation by exercising, and you should be active for several months before your operation to increase blood flow. Consider partaking in exercise three or four times a week for 30 minutes or more.  

Swim, go bike riding, jog, use a treadmill, or join an exercise class to work out your body. All of these types of exercises will increase your heart rate and contribute to good cardiovascular health.

If you have diabetes and want a permanent dental replacement, then a dental implant may be right for you. Your medical condition may cause infection problems and other sorts of complications. Go to websites and consider the information above so your implant does not need to be removed.


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