Can A Diabetic Get Invisalign® Braces?

Diabetes is a health condition that affects the body’s natural ability to produce or use insulin. If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to serious health complications. To your oral health, diabetes can affect your teeth and gums and make you vulnerable to gum disease, cavities, and other oral issues.

If you have diabetes, you might be wondering whether you can benefit from Invisalign® treatment. In general, you can get Invisalign if your diabetes is well controlled. Still, your orthodontist or dentist may need to consider other factors. Schedule a consultation with our Great Neck dentist for an exam to determine your eligibility for Invisalign if you have diabetes.

How Diabetes Affects Oral Health

Untreated diabetes can negatively affect your oral health in several ways. Diabetes can lead to reduced saliva production and flow. It can lead to general dehydration and elevated blood sugars in the mouth. It often leads to hyperglycemia, which inhibits saliva production. Diabetes medications also have links to reduced saliva flow and dry mouth.

Inadequate saliva and dry mouth can encourage an overgrowth of bacteria and plaque build-up in the mouth. It increases your risk of developing oral issues like bad breath, thrush, and cavities. Saliva helps re-mineralize the teeth and balance the mouth PH. Thus, less saliva production will increase your risk of cavities.

Diabetes can also lead to high blood sugars in the mouth, promoting bacteria and plaque build-up in the mouth. Diabetes also inhibits the body’s ability to fight off infections, leading to delayed wound healing. It often leads to treatment failure and more complications.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

Gum disease is perhaps the biggest concern for people with diabetes. Since uncontrolled diabetes increases bacteria and plaque build-up in the mouth, there’s an increased risk of developing gum disease or periodontal disease. Gum disease is the inflammation of the gum tissues, which support and holds the teeth in position. If left untreated, periodontal disease can increase blood sugars, making diabetes more difficult to control and manage.

Diabetes and Invisalign Treatment

As we’ve seen above, uncontrolled diabetes can affect your mouth. Consequently, it can affect your orthodontic treatments like Invisalign or traditional braces.

Usually, Invisalign works by exerting forces on the teeth to move them to the desired position. Since your teeth and gums are sensitive due to diabetes, wearing Invisalign aligners can result in sensitivity, soreness, infections, and delayed gum healing. Your orthodontic will recommend treating it first before getting Invisalign if you have gum disease.

Another consideration about wearing Invisalign with diabetes is reduced saliva flow and dry mouth. Even without diabetes, a dry mouth is a common side effect of wearing Invisalign. It means that having diabetes puts at a higher risk of experiencing dry mouth.

Enough saliva production is essential to wash away bacteria and debris from the mouth and balance the mouth acids. If not addressed, a dry mouth can lead to bad breath, cavities, oral thrust, and gum disease. Hydrating well during your Invisalign treatment promotes normal saliva production.

The last concern is tooth decay. The high blood sugars in the blood promote an overgrowth of the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Over time, these bacteria release harmful chemicals that erode the teeth’s enamel and cause decay.

Should you get Invisalign if you have Diabetes?

Three factors can facilitate a successful Invisalign treatment with diabetes. One is to keep your diabetes under control. If you manage your blood sugar levels, you’re less likely to experience oral issues like dry mouth, infections, and delayed healing.

The second important factor is your oral hygiene. Since diabetes puts you at a higher risk of bacteria and plaque build-up in the mouth, good oral hygiene will prevent unwanted symptoms like oral thrush, bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Lastly, working with your doctor and dentist will ensure your diabetes is under control and your mouth is healthy. This way, you’ll experience excellent results in your Invisalign treatment.

Tips for successful Invisalign treatment with diabetes

• Brush your teeth after meals.
• Floss at least once daily.
• Keep your diabetes under control.
• Eat healthier.
• Take medication as prescribed.
• Avoid or limit sugary and acidic food items.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid tobacco products.
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption.
• Schedule frequent dental assessments.

Get Your Invisalign Treatment Today

Are you interested in Invisalign in Great Neck, NY? Contact Great Neck Dental Associates for more information?