Healthy Smile, Healthy Life
When you think of taking care of your teeth you might not believe the benefits extend beyond the mouth, think again. Good oral hygiene can lead to more than white teeth, a confident smile and fresh breath. In fact regular brushing, flossing and trips to the hygienist could even lower your risk of developing diabetes. If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, regularly seeing your dentist can also help you manage the condition.Read on to discover why investing in a good toothbrush, flossing and your dentist plays a big part in keeping you healthy.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that is becoming increasingly common, it is caused when blood sugar in the body is too high. There are two types of diabetes referred to as type one and type two. Type one is where your immune system attacks and destroys cells in your pancreas where insulin is made. As a result, those with type one diabetes need to take insulin to stay alive, this is a lifelong condition and far less common than type two diabetes. Type two is where your body does not produce enough insulin and affects over 90% of adults in the UK.
What Causes Diabetes?
Diabetes is caused by the amount of sugar in your blood becoming too high. Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. This hardworking hormone essentially moves glucose out of your blood from say a cake or chocolate bar and into cells, where it is broken down to make energy. If you have diabetes you do not have enough insulin in your body or the insulin you do have is not working effectively enough to perform the task. While type one diabetes is not caused by lifestyle choices, type two often can be. These are some of the common causes of type two diabetes;
- Being overweight
- Being inactive
- Unhealthy diet
- Family history
- Inflammation in the body
If any of these causes may apply to you, the good news is there are measures you can take to manage and lower your symptoms and even reverse type two diabetes.
How Can You Reduce The Chances Of Developing Type Two Diabetes?
The clever doctors that study diabetes have discovered there are plenty of things you can do to actively prevent developing or manage type two diabetes. Here are some of the key ways that you can prevent the condition;
Get Moving
Being active helps insulin to work more effectively within your body, and the good news is it doesn’t matter what exercise you choose. Whether you like to swim, walk, run or do yoga all forms of movement count. Regular physical activity can help keep your blood sugar within a healthy range and even shift your diabetes into remission. What better reason to get moving?
Quit Smoking
Putting out the cigarettes comes with heaps of health benefits (and whiter teeth) so is always a good idea. Smoking increases inflammation in the body and can interfere with insulin function, the more you can do to keep this hormone working well the less likely you are to develop type two diabetes.
Eat Healthily
A healthy plate of fresh fruit, veggies and fiber is not only delicious – it can actively help prevent inflammation and the chances of developing type two diabetes. This includes managing your intake of alcohol which can spike your blood sugar levels. Looking at your diet will also help take better care of your teeth and get you in your dentist’s good books.
Take Care Of Your Gums
Speaking of dentists – taking care of your oral health is a great place to start for both preventing and managing diabetes. A good oral routine can help prevent gum disease which increases inflammation in the body, contributing to insulin resistance and increased blood sugar levels. Diabetes can also leave you more prone to gum infections so brushing twice a day, flossing and regularly seeing your hygienist is important. Always contact a dentist like one of the team here at Brunswick Dental Rooms, one of the top dental clinics in London if you have any concerns.
The Final Note
Taking care of your teeth delivers far more than a bright smile. It goes a long way to keeping your whole body and mind healthy. From preventing gum disease that can lead to inflammation to helping those with diabetes to manage the condition by preventing gum infections – there’s a reason your dentist is on your case about regular brushing and good hygiene. Seeing your dentist regularly will help give you peace of mind that you are doing all you can to keep your mouth healthy, now that’s something to smile about.
