If you have diabetes, you know certain lifestyle changes are necessary. You must be mindful about what you eat, regularly check your blood sugar, etc. It can be a lot, and you might worry it will keep you from enjoying the finer things in life. When you add missing teeth to the equation, this concern likely increases. But what about dental implants? As the closest thing to real teeth, they sound like the perfect option, but will your diabetes get in the way?
Can Diabetics Receive Dental Implants?
Yes, if you have diabetes, you can receive dental implants. These prosthetics can actually make it easier to manage your condition. If you wear dentures, your teeth can move around, making it hard to consume fibrous, nutritious foods. As a result, you may end up eating softer, processed foods that can spike your blood sugar. Dental implants eliminate this problem.
With a more stable set of teeth, you can enjoy a well-balanced diet full of the vitamins and minerals you need to control your diabetes.
Why Are Diabetics Often Considered Poor Candidates for Dental Implants?
Dental implant failure remains the primary reason so many diabetics are considered poor candidates for dental implants. This happens for a few reasons: your mouth will take longer to heal, and you may develop an infection.
Diabetes weakens your immune system, so fighting off an infection caused by gum disease (or peri-implantitis) is much harder. It can also cause unsuccessful osseointegration, which means your dental implants won’t fuse to your jawbone.
All of this might make these prosthetics sound impossible, but if you and your dentist work together, you can still achieve successful results.
What Can You Do to Ensure Dental Implant Success?
There’s no denying that you’ll need to commit to the process if you want long-term success, but taking these steps will make you see it’s all worth it:
- Manage Your Diabetes: If you want dental implants, you’ll need to get your diabetes under control first. Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your diet and exercise, and take your medications as instructed.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Your oral health matters, but it remains at risk when living with diabetes. Dry mouth, gum disease, and decay are all possibilities, so to avoid implant failure, brush twice a day, floss once, and stay hydrated to keep your mouth moist.
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly: As a diabetic, regular checkups and cleanings help protect against common dental problems. With implants, these visits become even more important. Your dentist will check for issues and help keep your oral health in good shape.
Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t experience what dental implants provide. With a well-prepared plan, you, your dentist, and your physician can make sure your new smile is a true success.
About Grand Dental – Sycamore
Dental implants are one of the many services we offer at Grand Dental – Sycamore. Our dental office in Downtown or Prairie View is led by dentists and specialists who have the expertise to rebuild smiles safely and successfully. If you are interested in dental implants but have diabetes, visit our website to schedule an appointment to see how we can help.