3 Ways Juvenile Diabetes Can Slow Dental Implant Surgery Recovery

If you have been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at an early age, then you may have problems recovering from dental implant surgery. Also known as type 1 diabetes, juvenile diabetes is considered an autoimmune disorder.

Those with autoimmune disease may be more likely to experience slow healing after surgical procedures. If you have juvenile diabetes or other autoimmune disorders, tell your dentist before getting your implants. Here are three ways juvenile diabetes can slow healing after your dental implant procedure and what you can do about them.

Poor Circulation

Juvenile diabetes often leads to poor circulation, including the circulation inside your mouth. When circulation is poor, the surgical sites from your implants may be slow to heal. In order to achieve proper healing after a surgical procedure, circulation and blood flow to the mouth needs to be optimal.

If you notice that your surgical sites are not healing properly, see your dentist. In the meantime, make an appointment with your endocrinologist, who may refer you to a vascular specialist. He or she will evaluate your medical condition to determine if you have circulatory problems that may have affected the way your implant sites are healing.

Salivary Gland Malfunction 

As with other types of autoimmune disorders, juvenile diabetes can cause salivary gland dysfunction. When your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva, you will experience oral dryness. You need adequate salivary flow in order to wash away germs from the inside of your mouth and to keep your oral tissues hydrated.

If the tissues become too dry, optimal healing may not occur in the days following your dental implant procedure. If you experience oral dryness, tell your dentist. He or she can prescribe a special mouthwash infused with hydrating enzymes that will help stimulate salivary flow, while re-hydrating your mouth.

Infection Risk

Because juvenile diabetes causes elevations in circulating blood glucose levels, you may be risk for developing oral infections after your implant surgery. When concentrations of glucose in the mouth are high as a result of diabetes, fungal and yeast infections may develop.

These types of infections feed on sugar, so it is important to maintain tight control over your blood sugar levels. If you notice white patches on your tongue or lining of your cheeks, see your dentist. This may indicate the presence of an oral yeast infection and will need to be treated with an anti-fungal medication. 

If you have juvenile diabetes and are considering dental implant surgery, work with both your dentist and physician. When you work with both of these healthcare professionals, you are less likely to develop infections, poor circulation, oral dryness, or other complications after your procedure. Contact a company like Oral Surgery Specialists of Austin for more information.