We are committed to continuously improving access to our goods and services by individuals with disabilities. This website is currently being updated to enhance the usability and experience for persons with disabilities. If you are unable to use any aspect of this website because of a disability, please call 603.890.4004 for Salem or 978.358.8576 for Newburyport and we will provide you with prompt personalized assistance.

Artisan Dentistry's Blog

The Improvement of Dental Options for Diabetics

Jul 6th, 2016

Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects all aspects of health—and oral health is no exception. For example, dental implants have helped many patients who seek an alternative to uncomfortable, ill-fitting dentures, but diabetics may not always receive the full benefits of the switch. This is largely due to the fact that diabetics have unique circumstances in their mouths that increase their chances of developing oral infections.

Individuals with diabetes have been known to experience dental and mouth problems because of excess glucose (sugar) in their saliva. When food mixes with too-sugary saliva and bacteria, plaque forms more easily, which leads to “decay, cavities, bad breath, and gum disease or gingivitis.” In short, when glucose levels are increased in the mouth, the plaque levels also increase. The problems caused by high sugar levels can have lasting effects on the oral health of diabetics. If you are experiencing any of these problems as a diabetic, set up an appointment with your dentist to discuss the possible options that are best for you.

Certainly, diabetics’ “ability to fight infections is not as strong as others,” especially in the mouth, where there is such a great amount of bacteria. However, in a recent study of 200 patients getting dental implants, only two did not heal like the others. The group of 200 patients included diabetics, and while these diabetic patients did take a tad longer to properly heal, the implants worked. It is extremely important for diabetics to take excellent care of implants to ensure infections do not develop, and if they do, then there is no reason why diabetics can’t have implants as a replacement for dentures.

In discussing the options best for you, your teeth, and dental implants, you will be advised by your dentist to “keep your blood glucose numbers as close to your target as possible, eat healthy meals, and brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to fight against tooth decay.”

Warranty

Our 5 Year Warranty

Anyone can train to be a technician, but few have the talent to become an artist. That’s why Dr. Mathew is able to guarantee his cosmetic dentistry work for a full 5 years. If anything goes wrong with the work, Dr. Mathew will fix it free of charge, as long as you continue with your regular 6 month preventative care cleaning and check up for the duration of the warranty.

Treatment Room

Individualized
Treatment Rooms

Our individualized treatment rooms and operatories provide patients with maximum privacy and comfort. The treatment rooms were built specifically with your comfort in mind.

Schedule Appointment (Paginated)

  • Fill out the form below.
Choose Location

Salem, MA

Call Now

Newburyport, MA

Call Now

Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

X

Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

X

The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.