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.

Who is a “Pre-Diabetic"?

"Pre-Diabetic" is a term that refers to people exhibiting signs and symptoms of glucose intolerance, near-diabetic blood sugar levels and/or high risk of developing diabetes due to family history, obesity and other medical conditions. There are approximately 50 million yet undiagnosed diabetics and pre-diabetics in America, with that number growing by leaps and bounds.
A pre-diabetic has a very good chance of preventing or long-delaying transition to diabetic, and there-fore warding off the heightened risk of many other serious medical problems worsened by diabetes, IF the person takes aggressive and comprehensive action. Such preventive measures typically include weight loss, changes in diet, addition or modification of exercise, all usually recommended by physicians. However, another preventive measure not so commonly understood or recommended, but significantly helpful, starts with a visit to the office of a dentist thoroughly knowledgeable about the special needs of diabetic patients!
Chances are very high that the pre-diabetic has dental health problems contributing to his rising, poorly controlled blood sugar levels. Early intervention can actually reverse the development and progression of pre-diabetes and even diabetes. If you know yourself to be pre-diabetic or even suspect you may be, based on symptoms, see your dentist ASAP.

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