|Did You Know?| |Acidic drinks such as soda, energy drinks, and
water with lemon erode the surface of the tooth, called enamel,
which can lead to decay. Instead of letting acid from drinks sit
on your teeth, rinse your mouth with plain water.| If eyes are
the window to the soul, then a smile offers a peek at the
pancreas. Just as diabetes can affect your kidneys, feet, heart,
and eyes, it plays a role in your oral health, too. Research in
this area is young, but studies show that the disease affects
the mouth by targeting the gums, increasing decay, and slowing
healing. Probably the greatest impact diabetes has on the mouth
is in upping the severity of periodontal disease. This serious
gum infection can destroy the tissues and bones that keep the
teeth in place and may result in tooth loss. Some signs include
red, swollen, and/or bleeding gums, loose or sensitive teeth,
and persistent bad breath. “There is very good evidence that
diabetes is a risk factor for periodontal disease, both in
extent and severity,”