Diabetes has wide ranging implications for dental treatments. The presence of diabetes increases the risk of developing serious dental problems that range further than simple cavities and the dental issues that diabetic patients present with in their dentist’s office usually need to be treated slightly differently than in the case of non-diabetic patients. Here are some aspects related to how dental procedures are handled in the case of diabetic patients:
- Blood sugar tests right before treatment – the blood sugar level of diabetic patients can drop and rise sharply and quickly when the patient is exposed to stress, therefore it is a good idea to measure the patient’s blood sugar levels right before the intervention and to continue with the procedure planned only if the blood sugar values are within the normal range.
- Aspects related to wound healing – diabetes usually affects the efficiency of the healing process in the case of wounds, including surgical incisions. Dentists and oral surgeons like HICD provide special guidance to diabetic patients about how to take care of any surgical wound and about the importance of contacting the doctor right away if anything out of the ordinary is noticed.
- Gum problems handled differently – periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions associated with diabetes. There are many treatment options available. The dentist or oral surgeon treating the patient will pick the right course of treatment based on how tightly controlled the patient’s blood sugar levels are.
