Established in the late 1970s, the Santee Health & Wellness Center is the principal point of health care services for tribal members residing on the Santee Sioux Reservation. Our providers and staff are committed to caring for you and your family.
If you are feeling unwell, need a routine annual exam or are seeking care from one of our specialty services, you can rest assured you will receive expert, compassionate care.
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Congratulations to Dava Mier, Cynthia Redwing, Tessa Avery, Anita Lapointe, and Bianca White for winning our weekly diabetic education challenge! 🎉 Your participation is so important for raising awareness and making a real difference in our community. Keep up the amazing work! 🙌 #DiabeticEducation #Awareness #CommunityImpact
Stop by Meagan’s office to claim your prize!
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⭐ Dental Care and Diabetes ⭐
Follow the link to participate in a short quiz and to be entered into our weekly participation drawing!
➡️➡️ www.surveymonkey.com/r/DKVT6DF
#DiabetesAwareness #DentalCare #HealthyHabits #PreventionIsPower #entertowin
🦷 Why Dental Care Is Especially Important for People With Diabetes
Here’s why staying on top of dental care is so important:
1. Higher Risk of Gum Disease
High blood sugar levels can weaken your body’s ability to fight infection. This makes people with diabetes more likely to develop gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). If left untreated, gum disease can cause gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss.
2. Gum Disease Can Raise Blood Sugar
It goes both ways! Gum infections can make it harder to control blood sugar, creating a cycle of inflammation. Good dental care helps support better diabetes management.
3. Slower Healing
Diabetes can slow down the healing process. This means oral infections, sores, or surgeries (like tooth extractions) may take longer to heal. Preventing problems before they start is key.
4. Higher Risk of Cavities
When blood sugar is elevated, there’s more sugar in your saliva. This can feed bacteria in the mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
5. Dry Mouth
Diabetes can cause dry mouth, which reduces saliva—a natural protector against cavities and infection. Dry mouth can also lead to burning sensations or difficulty chewing and swallowing.
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Tips for Protecting Your Oral Health with Diabetes
✔ Keep blood sugar levels as stable as possible
✔ Brush twice a day and floss daily
✔ Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings
✔ Let your dentist know if your blood sugar has changed or if you notice bleeding gums, bad breath, or mouth sores
✔ Stay hydrated to reduce dry mouth
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Taking care of your mouth is a powerful way to support your overall health—and your diabetes management. A healthy smile is part of a healthy body! 😁💙
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