Diabetes and Oral Health: What's the Connection?
Diabetes is not all about your blood sugar. It can also influence your oral health, especially your gums and healing ability. People with diabetes are more prone to:
- Gum disease
- Delayed healing after surgery
- Dry mouth and infections
These conditions will impact dental treatment such as implants, but not always preclude them. Dental implants proved to be a stable and safe therapy in everyday practice in case diabetes is well controlled and preoperatively prepared for implantation.
Are Dental Implants Safe in Diabetic Patients?
Yes, dental implants are a long-term and a safe solution for most diabetic conditions. In clinical trials, it has been shown that implant success in well-controlled diabetic patients is almost as good as for non-diabetics
The key factor? Good blood sugar control.
If your diabetes is well-managed, and your gums are healthy, implants can integrate and heal just as effectively. It’s all about personalised care and that’s exactly what we offer at KAA Dentals.
Factors That Influence Implant Success in Diabetics
- Blood Sugar Control: Consistently high glucose levels can impair healing. We recommend patients aim for an HbA1c below 7% before implant surgery.
- Gum and Bone Health: Healthy gums and adequate jawbone are essential for implant stability.
- Duration and Type of Diabetes: Far more prevalent among adults, type 2 diabetes is most commonly more easily controlled with drugs and dietary changes.
- Smoking: Smoking hinders rehabilitation and raises the likelihood of implant failure, particularly in diabetics.
- Medications and Immune Health: Certain medications can impact healing or increase infection risk.
How to Prepare for Dental Implants If You Have Diabetes
If you’re diabetic and thinking about implants, planning ahead is essential for success. Here’s what we suggest
✅ Get your latest blood tests (HbA1c and glucose levels). We can guide you on what’s ideal.
✅ Talk to your doctor or diabetic nurse about how to balance your blood sugars prior to surgery.
✅ Brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis, and use antimicrobial mouthwashes.
✅ Stop smoking (if applicable) — or reduce it significantly before surgery.
✅ Eat a balanced diet and manage stress, both of which help healing and sugar control.
At KAA Dentals, we’ll walk you through every step with a care plan tailored for you.
What We Do Differently at KAA Dentals
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all dentistry. For diabetic patients, we offer:
✔️ Pre-treatment health assessments, including medical history and HbA1c review
✔️ Close collaboration with your GP or diabetes nurse, when needed
✔️ Modern, minimally invasive implant systems to reduce healing time
✔️ Local care and follow-ups with our experienced team here in Wales
You’ll never feel hurried or confused — we sit down with you to tell you what is safe, what is possible, and what to do next.
If you are diabetic and implants are scheduled, planning is the key to success. This is what we recommend
FAQs
That's okay — we'll work with your GP and you to get your levels stabilised before booking your treatment.
Final Thoughts
Diabetes shouldn’t prevent you from having a healthy, confident smile. Dental implants, when properly cared for, well-planned, and with the proper dental team behind them, can be a safe, life-changing choice made specific to you.
Thinking about a dental implant? Let’s discuss.
We’re here at KAA Dentals to give you your answers not push you into something. We’ll help you decide what’s right, at your pace.
