Diabetes and Dentistry: Sam’s Story
The Diabetes UK Challenge…
This Summer, our wonderful Practice Manager here at Optident Dental Clinic is walking a staggering 1.7 million steps all across the country in aid of Diabetes UK.
The challenge begun on the 1st of July and will continue until the end of September. It means that Sam is currently walking an average of around 18,800 steps a day (we know, it’s a lot!).
Sam is doing incredibly well so far, her walks have taken her around her hometown Wivenhoe and across the border to Wales. The charity, that is close to Sam’s heart, keeps her motivated to continue going.
Sam’s Journey So Far
The Point of Ayr Lighthouse in North Wales
Sam has seen some brilliant sights on her walks so far
Sam on an evening walk
Sam has walked more than 300,000 steps in less than a month!
“I do it because I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when I was pregnant. My best friend is also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and as insulin dependant, and my dad is a type 1 diabetic, too,” explains Sam.
“It’s been very challenging. I’m used to doing 10,000 steps a day – but increasing that to 18,000 has been really hard. But, it’s all a learning curve and I’m getting there – I can now do between 16,000 and 18,000 steps in a day easily!”
Sam has walked 314,927 steps so far and is loving the challenge, despite it being hard to balance work, life and walking!
Did You Know Diabetes and Dental Health are Linked?
Diabetes UK is the UK’s leading diabetes charity and they are working towards creating “a world without diabetes”. Although many aren’t aware, there are prominent links between dental health and diabetes, which is just another reason why it is so important to keep up good oral hygiene. It can even affect your heart!
There is evidence suggesting that poor oral hygiene can contribute to an increased risk of developing diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Specifically, gum disease, a common outcome of poor oral hygiene, can raise blood sugar levels and potentially lead to or worsen diabetes.
Which means that if you or a loved one are living with diabetes, regular dental visits are more important than ever.
Your mouth matters. Let’s keep it healthy, together.
If you would like to sponsor Sam as she walks through the next couple of months and cheer her on from the sidelines, you can click here to donate. Any donation, however small, makes a huge difference to the incredible work Diabetes UK do!
