tooth and gum problems. Diabetics with poorly controlled blood glucose levels are more likely to get gum infections than nondiabetics. This can also make it more difficult to control your diabetes. Plus, in a diabetic, it takes longer for infections to heal. Make sure you inform your dentist that you have diabetes so he or she will demonstrate proper procedures to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. (Diabetes Sourcebook 263)Testing your blood sugar is very important for someone with diabetes. Some helpful tips are to keep records so your doctor can see how medicines, physical activity, diet, colds, and stress affect your blood sugar each day. There are two major ways to test your blood sugar. Both ways involve taking a small drop of blood from your finger and putting it on the end of a plastic strip. The strip changes color depending on how much sugar is in your blood. With the first method, you compare the color on the strip to one on a chart to get a rough estimate of your level. The second method consists of taking the strip and inserting it into a meter, which reads the strip. The second method is more accurate. Both methods are more accurate than testing your urine. These methods are common in insulin-dependent diabetes. (Type 1) Type 2 diabetics don’t have to do these methods unless they have difficulty controlling their diabetes with diet, exercise or the proper medications. (Diabetes Sourcebook 166) Both types of diabetes are unfortunate. However, Type 2 is easier to control with diet, exercise and medications. Type 1 is more difficult. Treatment includes; insulin shots, controlled diet and carefully controlled glucose testing. Eating the right foods at the right time is very important for treatment. Type 1 diabetics need to time meals with insulin doses to keep blood glucose levels from getting too high or too low. (Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia) Long-term complications become more important as ...
