Oral health and diabetes focus of new educational resources

A multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals has launched educational tools to share key information about diabetes and dental health.

Shining a light on the often-overlooked connection between diabetes and the mouth, the new education section ‘Oral Health and Diabetes – The Forgotten Two-Way Street’ has been developed by the team at iDEAL Diabetes to support better dental wellbeing for people living with diabetes.

The resources explore a wide range of key topics, including awareness of gum health, practical advice on oral hygiene and issues such as bleeding or swollen gums, as well as the link between periodontal disease and diabetes.

Within this new section, people living with diabetes can also access and download the SMILE NOW reminder card, designed to help recognise early warning signs of gum disease and reduce the risk of complications.

SMILE NOW highlights the importance of monitoring Symptoms of bleeding gums, Mouth Infections, Loose teeth and regular Examination, helping to explain how elevated blood sugar levels can affect dental wellbeing.

John Grumitt, Chair of Ideal Diabetes, said: “We are proud to once again have brought succinct, evidenced-based guidance for all healthcare professionals in diabetes and oral health to address the forgotten two-way street between them.

“Working together, dentistry and primary care professionals can improve the diagnosis of diabetes and outcomes. Successful treatment of periodontitis improves HbA1c by 4.7mml/mol at 12 months.”

For more information, click here.