Did you know that more than 50 million adults in the U.S. have diabetes? If you are among them, you are no doubt doing all you can to manage your condition. Still, you might wonder how it affects your prospects for various procedures, including tooth replacement with dental implants. This blog post provides some realistic and encouraging information.
How Diabetes Can Affect Dental Implants
Sadly, uncontrolled diabetes can have some negative consequences for dental implants. For example, diabetes comes with an increased risk of infection, which means that harmful bacteria are more likely to invade the tissue around an implant and cause it to fail. Also, unmanaged diabetes can slow down the body’s ability to heal, which can make for a more challenging post-op experience.
This problems stem from the fact that chronically high blood glucose levels can compromise the immune system and interfere with proper blood flow.
Good News for Diabetics
While the above information might sound dire, there is good news! In individuals whose diabetes is well managed, the success rate of dental implants is similar to that of individuals without diabetes. In other words, there is a very good chance that you can enjoy all the benefits of dental implants!
Plus, once your dental implants are in place, they may actually help you keep your diabetes under control. They can do so because they provide powerful chewing power, which can make it easier for you to enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet that keeps your blood glucose levels in check.
Tips for Diabetics Thinking about Dental Implants
If you are thinking about getting dental implants, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Keep a close eye on your diabetes. Attend all recommended appointments with your primary care doctor, and follow their advice for managing your blood glucose levels. You may also choose to work with a dietician who has experience in helping people with diabetes.
- Monitor your gum health. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of gum disease, which might adversely affect your candidacy to get dental implants. If you notice things like redness or swelling in your gums, see your dentist right away.
- Let your dentist know about your diabetes. The dentist who provides your dental implants should know about your medical history. Even if your diabetes is well-managed, they should still be aware of your diagnosis.
Diabetes is not an automatic contraindication for dental implants. With the right precautions, it is very likely that you can enjoy successful treatment!
Meet the Practice
At Vero Beach Dental Implants at Ocean Oaks, our team has extensive experience and skill in providing dental implants for many different types of patients, including those with diabetes. If you are interested in tooth replacement, we would be happy to welcome you in for a consultation. Contact our office at 772-205-6003.