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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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.

Chronic Periodontal Disease Could Lead to Diabetes

Chronic periodontal disease may contribute to diabetes, according to a review of recent research presented today. While it has been established that people with diabetes are more prone to developing periodontal disease, new research is suggesting that periodontal disease may, in turn, be a risk factor for diabetes. The research review was presented at an American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) symposium on periodontal systemic connections in Bethesda, Md.
Periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream and activate immune cells. These activated cells produce inflammatory biological signals (cytokines) that have a destructive effect throughout the entire body. Once this happens, it may induce Type 2 diabetes, even in otherwise healthy individuals with no other risk factors for diabetes," explained presenter Anthony Iacopino, D.M.D., Ph.D. in the Division of Prosthodontics at Marquette University's School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wis.
The next step to determine for sure whether or not periodontal disease can cause diabetes is to perform clinical studies and intervention trials, which answer the question, when periodontal disease is treated, does the risk for diabetes decrease? "Until we have results from intervention studies to better understand the role periodontal disease may play in diabetes, as well as heart disease, preterm births and respiratory disease, the best advice is for people to take excellent care of their oral health to help ensure they keep their teeth as well as maintain overall health," said Michael McGuire, D.D.S., president of the AAP.

Are Your Teeth Getting Bigger?

Signs and symptoms of periodontal (gum) disease include bleeding gums; red, swollen, or tender gums; gums that have pulled away from your teeth (this makes your teeth look bigger); pus between the gums when they are compressed; persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth; permanent teeth that are loose or moving apart; any change in the way the teeth fit together when the patient bites; and any change in the fit of dentures. Most people with diabetes do not experience pain with periodontal disease, however, and some can have periodontal disease and be asymptomatic (no symptoms).
People with diabetes are three times more likely than persons without diabetes to have destructive periodontal disease (gum disease), such as periodontitis. Periodontal disease progresses more rapidly and often is more severe in individuals with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Gum disease is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease that destroys non-calcified connective tissue and bone supporting the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Recent research suggests a two-way connection between diabetes and periodontal disease. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to periodontal disease, but the presence of periodontal disease can worsen blood sugar control. In fact, proper care of the mouth can help people with diabetes achieve better blood sugar control.

Steps diabetic patients can take to ensure optimal dental care

• Find a dentist who is aware of the needs of diabetic patients.
• See the dentist on a regular basis and alert him or her of any changes in health status and medications.
• Inform the dentist of any sores, swellings, or areas of redness in the mouth, as well as any painful areas in the mouth.
• Eat a normal meal prior to the dental appointment, take all diabetic medications on schedule, bringing a blood sugar monitoring device to the appointment, and inform the dentist if symptoms associated with low blood sugar are felt.

20 Million Diabetics...are you one?

It is estimated that up to 20 million people have diabetes, but only two-thirds of these individuals are diagnosed. Studies have shown that diabetics are more susceptible to the development of oral infections and periodontal (gum) disease than those who do not have diabetes. Oral infections tend to be more severe in diabetic patients than non-diabetic patients. And, diabetics who do not have good control over their blood sugar levels tend to have more oral health problems. These infections occur more often after puberty and in aging patients

Why Do Diabetics Need Regular Dental Check-Ups?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don't have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

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There Is A War Going On In Your Mouth!

There are more than 300 different species of bacteria attacking your gums and teeth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any of these can lead to inflammation and infection. Any of these can launch or worsen gum problems. Diabetics are predisposed to bacterial infections, so the dangers to you are much greater than for others. And all the brushing, flossing and WaterPiks® in the world are just not enough to stop these bacterial toxins waging war on your mouth.
If you have gum problems, it may not be as simple as having a "bad flossing disease" - and in your dentist's office, you won't get a finger-wagging, sharp voiced lecture on flossing! We understand that these bacteria and bacterial infections thrive on the sugars you have trouble regulating, and that you need a multi-faceted treatment approach including our help to win this war!

The Shocking Truth About Diabetes and Dental Cavities

Do you think people with diabetes are at a greater risk for dental cavities? One group of dentists believes that high glucose levels in the saliva of people with uncontrolled diabetes helps bacteria thrive, which leads to the development of cavities as well as sets you up for gum disease. Also, the fact that diabetic patients tend to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may mean there is a greater chance for bacteria to grow and lead to dental cavities. Another group of dentists believe that because people with diabetes are more knowledgeable about what they eat and the need to closely monitor their sugar intake, they don't eat many foods that contain cavity-causing sugars. The fact is that people whose diabetes is well controlled have no more tooth decay or periodontal disease than persons without diabetes. Here's the bottom line: Good oral hygiene and maintenance of blood sugar within the accepted range are the best protections against cavity formation and periodontal disease!

The "Closed Loop" Between Dental Care and Diabetes

A recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General outlined the direct connections between gum diseases and dental care and diabetes. First, the evidence clearly shows that gum disease occurs more than twice as often in people with diabetes as for non-diabetics, and that it is much harder for diabetics to control.
Second, diabetes can aggravate, worsen and accelerate gum disease -- which in turn, makes it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Gum disease includes infections, which can increase your body's resistance to insulin and make your diabetes increasingly difficult to control. An enemy of blood sugar control is gum disease. An enemy of healthy gums and teeth is uncontrolled blood sugar levels: "The Closed Loop".

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Dental Care?

Did you know that diabetes is a disease that can affect the whole body, including your mouth? Periodic dental care is necessary for people with diabetes because they face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems due to poorly controlled blood sugars. The less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely dental problems will arise. Here's why: Uncontrolled diabetes impairs white blood cells, which are the body's main defense against bacterial infections that can occur in the mouth.

Another complication of diabetes, besides impairing white blood cells, is that it causes your blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients to (and waste products from) body tissues, including the mouth. When this combination of events happens, the body's ability to fight infections is reduced. Since periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, diabetics may experience more frequent and more severe gum disease.