Healthy gums may lower risk of heart disease, stroke

Dentists frequently tell their patients that poor oral health may result in periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, but individuals who do not heed their dentists' warnings may also be increasing their risk of developing serious cardiovascular conditions.

Periodontal disease is typically caused by plaque buildup that has been left untreated for a long period of time. Other dental problems such as crooked teeth, rough edges of fillings, and ill-fitting or unclean braces, dentures, bridges, or crowns can also irritate the gums and result in periodontal disease.

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) explains that the bacteria, which is produced at the sites of gum disease, can enter the blood stream and aid in the formation of blood clots. Normal blood flow and function may be obstructed by clots and can result in heart attack or stroke.

Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without the condition, the AAP adds.

Dentists may diagnose periodontal disease in patients who experience gum swelling, tenderness or bleeding. However, routine professional cleanings and diligent oral care will remove plaque and help avoid health complications.
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International Diabetes Federation Guideline on Oral Health for People with Diabetes

Clinical guidelines from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) emphasize the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes. Diabetes affects approximately 285 million people worldwide, and this number is only expected to increase. The IDF is an organization of 200 national diabetes associations from 160 countries.


The IDF oral health clinical guideline supports what research has already suggested: that management of periodontal disease—which affects the gums and other supporting tissues around the teeth—can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and can also help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels. Studies have suggested there is a two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease, and the IDF guideline outlines helpful guidance for health professionals who treat people living with and at risk for diabetes.

The IDF guideline contains clinical recommendations on periodontal care, written in collaboration with the World Dental Federation (FDI), that encourage health professionals to conduct annual inquiries for symptoms of periodontal disease such as swollen or red gums, or bleeding during tooth brushing; and to educate their patients with diabetes about the implications of the condition on oral health, and especially periodontal health.

“Everyone should maintain healthy teeth and gums to avoid periodontal disease, but people with diabetes should pay extra attention,” said Samuel Low, DDS, MS, Associate Dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). “Periodontal disease triggers the body’s inflammatory response which can affect insulin sensitivity and ultimately lead to unhealthy blood sugar levels. Establishing routine periodontal care is one way to help keep diabetes under control.”

In recognition of American Diabetes Month, the American Academy of Periodontology commends the International Diabetes Federation on the release of the Guideline on Oral Health for People with Diabetes, and supports its encouragement of continued collaboration and communication between diabetes and oral healthcare professionals.

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Exercise Tips for People with Diabetes

A quarter of Americans get no exercise during their leisure time, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Less than twenty percent get the recommended amount of exercise. These numbers are dismal, given that exercise is vital to maintaining health, especially for individuals with diabetes.


Diabetes patients are at a higher risk for heart disease, and regular exercise can improve blood circulation and prevent heart problems. Physical activity also helps those with diabetes to:

Control their weight, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure

Lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol

Increase muscle strength and bone density

Improve insulin use

If you have diabetes, you should do moderate-intensity exercises for at least 10-20 minutes each day, eventually building up to 30-60 minutes five days a week.

Moderate-intensity physical activities include:

Walking briskly

Dancing

Sports such as tennis, basketball, and volleyball

Bicycling

Swimming

Mowing the lawn

Exercising with a partner is a good way to sustain your routine and make it more enjoyable. Before and after any physical activity, you should stretch to increase flexibility and decrease muscle soreness. For those with Type 2 Diabetes, strength training can have a significant impact on blood glucose level control. Exercising with elastic bands and hand weights builds muscle, which burns more calories and also strengthens bones.

Also try to be more active in your daily life. For example, instead of driving, try to walk whenever possible. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and exercise while watching television.

If you have diabetes complications, you should plan your exercise regimen with a doctor. Generally, though, if a patient has a blood glucose level that is less than 250 mg/dl, and does not have cardiovascular problems or retinopathy, neuropathy, or nephropathy, exercise is recommended, according to the American Diabetes Association.

During physical activity, you may experience hypoglycemia. Symptoms include trembling and shaking, palpitations, drowsiness, and headaches. If this occurs, you should take action immediately. Take a blood-glucose test to confirm that blood glucose levels are low, and rest for 10-15 minutes. You should also eat or drink foods containing sugar (5 or 6 pieces of hard candy, for example, or half a cup of fruit juice). If blood glucose levels are below 100 mg/dl, or you’re still feeling sick, you should not resume exercise. If you decide to continue, test your blood glucose levels every 20-30 minutes. To prevent hypoglycemia, you should eat a snack before exercising if your blood glucose levels are below 100 mg/dl. Make sure to continuously drink fluids to avoid dehydration. At the conclusion of your activity, check your feet for sores, blisters and other signs of irritation – if left unchecked, they may develop into serious infections.
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The Truth about Tooth Loss

The Truth about Tooth Loss


The American Dental Association (ADA) states that diabetics with difficulties controlling blood sugar levels develop periodontal (gum) disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth, than non-diabetics or diabetics with good control of blood sugar levels. Diabetics' poorer-than-normal healing response and compromised immune systems, gum disease, infections, and the destruction of bone anchoring teeth in place combine to put diabetics at greater risk for tooth loss, often at early age. Even diabetics with good oral hygiene who brush, floss, use mouthwash and have regular, ordinary cleanings at the dentist's office are still at high risk of gum disease, bone loss and tooth loss.

By the way, some people take a casual attitude toward tooth loss - chalking it up to age or an inevitable affect of diabetes and "not that big of a deal". This is DEAD wrong! There are many reasons your dentist can explain for doing everything in your power to keep your natural teeth as long as you can. Your health and number of years you live may depend on it.

Clinical experience tells us that our patients who keep their teeth or get restored to function live longer and have a better quality of life. According to the Center For Disease Control, over half of the population that is age 60, will live to be in their 90's or older. You need your teeth longer!

2 simple ways to control blood sugar -- and save your life

Exercise like it's a prescription:
That means at least 20 to 30 minutes every day. It takes only a few days of missed workouts and poor eating to worsen a person's insulin resistance, says Barry Braun, Ph.D., an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. To make sure you stick with it, choose the exercise that you enjoy the most.

If you have high blood glucose:
...take alpha lipoic acid. "This supplement is unexcelled as a blood-sugar nutrient and is a prescription item in Europe," says Bowden. He recommends taking 300 milligrams twice a day. Puritan's Pride Alpha Lipoic Acid is reasonably priced and passed purity tests at consumerlab.com.



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90% of systemic diseases are inflammatory in nature

I see many patients who have periodontal, diabetes, heart and respiratory disease. We now know that 90% of systemic diseases are inflammatory in nature. Our current healthcare model treats us when we are sick. It doesn’t focus much on wellness and prevention. We dentists have been saying for years that periodontal disease can lead to heart disease. Finally, a couple of years ago, the medical profession agreed. We tend to see many of the symptoms of disease much earlier than our medical colleagues. Patients tend to see medical doctors in times of acute pain but not as often for general checkups. They do, however, tend to visit the dentist even when they are healthy. This puts us in a great position to help our patients stay healthy.

Diabetes Isn't Caused by a Sweet Tooth but Nearly Half of People Believe It Is

Nearly half (42 per cent) of people still think eating too much sugar causes diabetes and a quarter (25 per cent) of people object to people with diabetes injecting insulin in public, according to a survey by Diabetes UK.


Diabetes UK is concerned that findings from our Diabetes Myths survey, which questioned 2,032 people, show that some beliefs are still worryingly widespread. We want to kick start Diabetes Week (13 – 19 June) by raising awareness of diabetes and dispelling the myths that still surround the condition.

Simon O’Neill, Director of Care, Information and Advocacy Services at Diabetes UK, explains: “These sorts of myths are not helpful and can lead to discrimination and bullying. Sadly, we often hear of children who are bullied at school because their peers believe they’ve brought their diabetes on themselves from eating too many sweets. People with diabetes have a hard enough time living with their condition without being made to feel ashamed or different from their peers.”

Fact over fiction

Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Sugar does not cause diabetes. However, eating a diet high in sugar can cause people to become overweight which increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

O’Neill continues: “Diabetes UK is appalled that some people object to injecting in public. For people who treat their diabetes with insulin, this is not a choice - insulin keeps them alive and injections have to be administered at specific times. People should be able to inject in public without fear of being mocked or shunned by those around them.”

The survey also discovered that 50 per cent of people think that people with diabetes benefit from food and drink labelled “suitable for diabetics”.

The truth about diabetes

O’Neill explains: “Diabetic foods have no extra nutritional value and are more expensive. Diabetes UK advises that people with diabetes have the same healthy, balanced diet (that is low in fat, sugar and salt) as people without the condition. We are calling for an end to the use of the terms ‘diabetic foods’ and ‘suitable for diabetics’ on food labels altogether.

“Diabetes UK is hoping to destroy these myths by shedding light on them and replacing them with the truth - it is vital that people with and without diabetes have accurate information about the condition.”

Can Gum Disease Make It Impossible To Control Your Blood Sugar Levels?

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Those people who don't have their diabetes under control are especially at risk.


A study in the November issue of the Journal of Periodontology found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease than well-controlled diabetics are. Research has emerged that suggests that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.

Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts diabetics at increased risk for diabetic complications. Thus, diabetics who have periodontal disease should be treated to eliminate the periodontal infection.

This recommendation is supported by a study reported in the Journal of Periodontology in 1997 involving 113 Pima Indians with both diabetes and periodontal disease. The study found that when their periodontal infections were treated, the management of their diabetes markedly improved

Choose Tried-and-True Methods To Treat Gum Disease

Miracle cures, or quick fixes, have been around for centuries; certain foods, ointments, or potions have claimed to cure everything from hair loss to cancer. Marketed as quick, easy, and painless, these miracle cures often are not backed by science or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that they may do more harm than good. Similar quick fixes that claim to treat periodontal disease are no different. Though elements of these quick and easy periodontal “cures” may be FDA-approved, there may be little or no scientific proof that they are effective in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. In fact, periodontal “miracle cures” may actually harm your oral health.


Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and has been associated with the progression of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. If you opt for a treatment for periodontal disease that has not been backed by scientific evidence, it's possible that the treatment won't effectively treat (or could even worsen) your condition. Just because a treatment is deemed “new” or “innovative” doesn't mean that it works properly or better than more traditional treatments. By choosing the quick fix route first, your oral health may remain in poor condition and you may require additional treatment.

Instead, a better idea is to schedule an appointment with a dentist when you notice signs of periodontal disease (red, swollen or tender gums; bleeding while brushing or flossing; gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth; loose or separating teeth).

Without Good Dental Health...There Cannot Be Good General Health

Gum disease can affect the state of your whole body. Over the past few years, studies have shown a definite link between your oral health and your general health. Here are some problems that can be aggravated by poor oral hygiene:

1) Stroke - Those with adult gum disease may have increased risk of stroke.
2) Respiratory Infections - Inhaling bacteria from the mouth and throat can lead to pneumonia.
3) Dental plaque buildup creates a dangerous source of bacteria that can be inhaled into the lungs.
4) Heart Disease - Those with adult periodontitis (gum disease) may have increased risk of fatal heart attack, and are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
5) Bacteria from the mouth may cause clotting problems in the cardiovascular system.
6) Osteopenia - Reduction in bone mass (osteopenia) is associated with gum disease and related tooth loss.
7) Severity has been connected to tooth loss in postmenopausal women.
8) Uncontrolled Diabetes - Chronic periodontal disease can disrupt diabetic control. Diabetes can contribute to bacterial overgrowth in the mouth.
9) Smokers with diabetes increase their risk of tooth loss by twenty times.
10) People with type II diabetes are three times as likely to develop periodontal disease than are non-diabetics.

Remember, there are a number of advanced oral care remedies available to control or eliminate periodontal disease, such as antimicrobial mouth-washes, flossing regularly, and certain medications... and you thought all you needed was a toothbrush!

What Else Can Happen To My Mouth And Teeth With Diabetes?

A fungal infection in the mouth (oral candidiasis) appears to occur more frequently among persons with diabetes including those who wear dentures. Your dentist may prescribe antifungal medications to treat this condition. Good oral hygiene is critical. Lichen planus is a skin disorder that produces lesions in the mouth. A more severe type of Lichen planus involves painful ulcers that erode surface tissue. Although there is no permanent cure, your dentist may prescribe a topical anesthetic or other medication to reduce and relieve the condition. Some diabetics have reported that their taste for sweets is diminished, although the taste impairment is usually not severe. Altered taste sensations, barely perceptible to most diabetic patients, may influence their food choices in favor of sweet tasting foods with highly refined carbohydrate content. This may worsen the diabetic patient's dental health and overall health.

How Diabetics Are Chewing Sugarless Gum to Avoid "Dry Mouth"

We all know saliva helps wash away food particles and keeps your mouth moist. Without adequate saliva, bacteria continue to colonize. A dry mouth is a common complaint among diabetic dental patients. Constant dryness irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, often making them inflamed and painful. This condition greatly increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal diseases. Your dentist may recommend a saliva substitute that can be used for relief from dry mouth discomfort. Your dentist may also recommend rinsing with a fluoride mouth rinse or having a topical application of fluoride at home and in the dental office to help prevent rampant tooth decay. These products are sold over-the-counter at pharmacies. Using sugarless gum, sugarless mints, taking frequent sips of water (or using melting ice chips) may help alleviate a dry mouth. Restricting intake of caffeine and alcohol also can help!

How Inadequate Gum and Dental Care Can Kill You Now...And Not Later

How is heart disease and stroke DIRECTLY linked to gum disease? The surface of healthy mucous membrane in the mouth is rich with antibodies called 'immunoglobulins' that protect you from bacteria and viruses. These 'immunoglobulins' are your soldiers, your infantry, and your troops on the ground. Unfortunately, as you age, your body manufactures less and less of them, so you have less and less resistance to the 300 different kinds of bacteria (the enemy troops).
But the biggest danger is oral bacteria entering the bloodstream through the gums (even a tiny, microscopic gum tear). The bacteria can then move directly through the carotid arteries to the brain. This very same bacterial plaque that causes gum disease can trigger the arteries to swell...causing blood flow constriction that sharply increases risk of stroke and heart disease. Further, never forget the closed loop: Gum disease worsens diabetes and all the deadly complications that come with it. These include: Stroke, heart disease, severe neuropathy leading to amputations of hands, feet and limbs.