Prevention: Blood Sugar Control

If you are diabetic, you know how important it is to control your blood glucose levels. Additionally, poorly controlled blood sugar levels also play a role in the overall health of your mouth. Controlling your blood sugar can decrease your risk of infection and inflammation around the body. In the mouth, it can decrease your risk of serious gum disease.

Having blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Therefore, it is critical to keep your levels in check.

Here are some ways to keep your blood sugar under control:

• Take your medication as instructed. It is important to take any medicine on time and regularly.
• Check your blood sugar as your doctor recommends. Often, this is multiple times a day, either before and/or after meals and fasting.
• Check in with your doctor regularly. Diabetes and its symptoms can change over time, and your treatment may need to be adjusted. Your doctor will want to know any changes to your overall health and of any new or emerging symptoms so that they can adjust your treatment plan, diet, medicine, counseling sessions, etc.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Follow your meal plan as instructed by your doctor or diabetics counselor.
• Eat small meals frequently throughout the day. By eating more frequently, your blood sugar levels will remain more stable than if you were to go for longer periods without eating.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise is not only good for your overall health, but it naturally helps lower your blood sugar. It’s a win-win!