How can my dentist take care of my teeth and gums?

• By cleaning and checking your teeth and gums twice a year.
• By helping you learn the best way to brush and floss your teeth and gums.
• By telling you if you have problems with your teeth or gums and what to do about them.
• By making sure your false teeth fit well.
  
  
  Get your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year.

Plan ahead. You may be taking a diabetes medicine that can make your blood sugar too low. This very low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia (hy-po-gly-SEE-mee-uh). If so, talk to your doctor and dentist before the visit about the best way to take care of your blood sugar during the dental work. You may need to bring some diabetes medicine and food with you to the dentist's office.

If your mouth is sore after the dental work, you might not be able to eat or chew for several hours or days. For guidance on how to adjust your normal routine while your mouth is healing, ask your doctor

• What foods and drinks you should have.
• How you should change your diabetes medicines.
• How often you should check your blood sugar.