Most people are aware that November is Diabetes Awareness Month! How much do you know about oral health and diabetes?
Just because November is gone doesn’t mean we should stop talking about diabetes! November is a month to move and encourage men and women across America to raise awareness, but we should talk about it all year, and thanks to Colgate Total and the American Diabetes Association for launching “Watch Your Mouth,” we are talking about oral health and diabetes. Why it’s important to brush your teeth and “Watch Your Mouth”!
Did you know that diabetes affects nearly 12% of the U.S. Hispanic population, and the risk of diagnosed diabetes is 6% higher among Hispanics when compared to non-Hispanic white adults? It’s scary, but don’t think that because you are not Hispanic, it cannot happen to you, because it can!
Oral Health and Diabetes: Colgate Total and American Diabetes Association “Watch Your Mouth” Campaign
The “Watch Your Mouth” campaign is to help raise awareness surrounding the link between oral health and diabetes. Oh, you didn’t realize there was a link between the two? It’s okay, many people don’t; it’s often overlooked, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important! Which is why Colgate Total and the American Diabetes Association have come together to raise awareness! Did you know there are a few simple steps that can be taken to help avoid early gum disease?
2 Tips to Help Avoid Early Gum Disease
Visit your dentist. I know many people think the dentist is scary, and I’m going to agree with those of you who think they are, but it’s extremely important! While your doctor and certified diabetes educator can help and do play a very important role in helping with diabetes, we must remember that our dentist does too. Find a nice dentist; they are out there, and visit them.
Healthy dental habits at home: Now that you know how important visiting the dentist is, take care of your mouth at home too. Research shows that brushing those pearly whites twice a day with Colgate Total® toothpaste can help improve gum health for as little as four weeks.
So grab some Colgate TotalTM, brush your teeth twice a day, and make that appointment!
I have a friend who has been living with diabetes since she was little. Every single day she has to give herself a shot; every single day she has to watch what she eats; every single day she has to live with the fact that she has diabetes; and she’s so young. She’s a trooper and totally health nut because she wants to feel good and be as healthy as possible. She has her bad days, but looking at her, you wouldn’t know she has diabetes because she takes care of herself. Talking to her might make you think living with diabetes is easy, but once you get to know her, you will quickly see how not easy it is. How much emotional pain it’s caused, how much she doesn’t tell people, and how much she just wants to know what it feels like to live a normal life. To eat what she wants, to go where she wants, to go out-of-town, and not worry about taking her medication—to not give herself that insulin shot every single day.
I admit that for the first few months we were around one another, I didn’t think diabetes was any big deal. I knew she had to give herself a shot, but she didn’t act like it was a big deal. I guess it was about months into our friendship that she broke down, and it was such an eye-opener for me. I truly didn’t know what she was dealing with.
Learn More About Oral Health and Diabetes
Whether you are living with diabetes, know someone who is, or just want to become more knowledgeable about diabetes be sure to remember how important oral health is. While I was reading an article on OralHealthAndDiabetes.com I learned that people with diabetes are 2X more likely to develop gum disease, because diabetes makes the body more susceptible to bacterial infections, but Colgate Total® can help by improving your guys health in as little as 4 weeks. Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease, and you can rest assured that Colgate Total® approved by the FDS to help prevent gingivitis.
Losing your teeth is a possibility with age and with some diseases. If that’s the case, you are lucky because of the great dental work and implants that are available. If you’ve gotten implants, be sure you are taking proper care of your dental implants to keep your new smile as beautiful as the day you got it.
Learn more about the “Watch Your Mouth” campaign by visiting OralHealthAndDiabetes.com.
4 comments
As proper oral health is related with good general health, everybody should maintain a hygienic oral health to prevent further risk of diabetes.
These are good points Jenn. People who live with diabetes know that there disease can affect the whole body, including their mouth, making them at higher risk of oral health problems such as gum disease. So they should not only watch their diet and nutrition for overall health but also oral health. It’s good to know that Colgate is helping to raise awareness about the importance in maintaining good oral hygiene to diabetic patients since there has been a lack of education for this kind of disease.
Taking care of your body is essential when you’re looking to maintain a healthy smile. Develop healthy oral hygiene habits and see your orthodontist regularly for the best chance at avoiding tooth decay and other dental disease.
Great article, what are your thoughts on oil pulling for oral health? I personally had some good results with oil pulling, at least for how fresh my mouth tasted.