Leisure World News

Leisure World News • Wellness • November 2018 B23 Oral Health and Diabetes: What You Need to Know Come see us at our new location: 610 N Gilbert Rd. #103 Gilbert, AZ 85234 Located behind Flancer’s Restaurant, Next to State Farm Monday-Friday 9a-5p Saturdays 9a-1p Evenings and Sundays by appointment only www.travelbetterarizona.com Meet your travel agent: Dawn Poturalski "I have worked with Dawn for many years. She is consistently prompt, cheerful, and thorough in her management of the dozens of itineraries assembled for my flights, hotels and cars each year... I don't leave home without a Travel Leaders itinerary prepared by Dawn at World of Travel in Mesa. Been that way for 20 years." “Dawn was great to work with. She found us the best value for our cruise, tirelessly answered our many questions, and made the whole process very painless with her quick response time and attention to detail. Booking a cruise can be overwhelming with all the choices out there, and Dawn made it so easy with her can -do attitude. She is a pleasure to work with, and I would recommend her to anyone.” 480-892-4992 As your travel consultant I will work hard to find you the vacation that brings you wonderful memories. I also work with corporate clients and will make sure you have top notch business travel with all your needs met. My clients range from solo travelers to families, to large groups. I have also done several destination weddings, and a plethora of honeymoons. While I sell all types of travel, I specialize in luxury travel, including cruises, customized tours and all-inclusive vacations. There are so many options for booking travel. This is where I come in. By asking questions and taking your needs and wants in consideration, I can plan your dream vacation, be it in an over wa- ter bungalow in the South Pacific, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Taha'a, or the Caribbean, safari in Af- rica, or travel anywhere else in the world, on land or cruise. If I have not been there or experienced it personally, I am sure I have planned it and booked it in my 11-plus years in the travel industry or have a colleague who has. Be it a family reunion or vacation, honeymoon, destination wedding, business travel, all-inclusive vacation, or cruise anywhere in the world, let me help you make your travel dream become a reality. By Karl Baker It’s no secret that taking care of your teeth and gums can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. It will also help preserve your teeth as you get older. But researchers have now given us some new reasons to brush and floss. A healthy mouth can help decrease your risk of serious health problems, including heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. Oral health is a crucial pillar in our overall health—something I will explore in my upcoming seminars in Leisure World. The Diabetes Connection Today, I want to focus on diabetes. If you have diabetes, you are more prone to having oral health issues such as cavities and gum disease. And if you are over the age of 50 with diabetes, your risk is even higher. That’s because dental problems and age go hand in hand. The good news is that controlling your diabetes goes a long way toward preserving your teeth and gums. And this, in turn, will help manage your diabetes. Diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar. All food you eat is turned to sugar and used for energy. Both Types I and II Diabetes can result in high blood sugar levels, which can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. If left untreated, diabetes can also take a toll on your mouth. Here’s how: • You may produce less saliva, causing a dry mouth (dry mouth can also be caused by certain medications). • You may have a higher risk of cavities caused by less saliva production. • You may be susceptible to infections inside of your mouth. • You may have inflamed and bleeding gums. • You may have problems tasting food. But there is good news! Your dentist can help in your fight against diabetes! Research shows that treating periodontal disease—a condition where bacteria and plaque buildup on your teeth to cause gum decay and bone loss—will help control your diabetes. Good oral hygiene habits, regular exams and professional dental cleanings or gum treatment at your dentist’s office can be beneficial in keeping your smile healthy and slow the progression of diabetes. Helpful Tips Here are five things you can do to improve your oral health: • Control your blood sugar levels. Good blood sugar control will help relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes. • Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. • If you wear any kind of denture, clean it daily. • Make sure to brush twice a day and clean between your teeth (floss) daily. • See your dentist for regular exams, cleanings or gum treatments. Make your oral health a priority to keep diabetes under control and to achieve optimal health. Attend my seminar to learn more. Next month, we will focus on oral health and heart disease. For any questions, please visit my team and I at Unique Dental Care, where we offer comprehensive exams, dental cleanings and periodontal therapy for patients of all ages. Until then, be well and smile! - Dr. Karl Baker, DDS, is the owner and general dentist at Unique Dental Care .