Diabetes and Oral Health
Diabetes and Oral Health : During the past 10 years, much research has been undertaken on the link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the sixth leading complication of diabetes.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease, with a higher rate of more severe levels of bone loss and gum infection.
What Is Diabetes ? Diabetes is a serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. Normally, insulin helps get sugar from the blood to the body’s cells, where it is used for energy. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or using insulin, so your body does not get the fuel it needs and your blood sugar stays too high. High blood sugar sets off processes that can lead to complications, such as heart, kidney, and eye disease, or other serious problems.If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Are There Different Types of Diabetes ? Yes there are three major different types of Diabetes.
Type 1
Type 2
Gestational diabetes
Prediabetes as well.
It is estimated that more than 20 million adults and children in the United States have some form of diabetes–14 million having been diagnosed with the disease and 6 million being unaware they have it. Most Americans (around 90%) who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
What Is Periodontal Disease ? Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums, ligaments, and bone that support your teeth and hold them in the jaw. If left untreated, you may experience tooth loss. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless microbial film that constantly forms on your teeth. Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, causing infection.
Diabetes Control and Periodontal Treatment : Periodontal disease may make it more difficult for you to control your blood sugar. Your body’s reaction to periodontal disease can increase your blood sugar level. Consequently, it is important for patients with diabetes to treat and eliminate periodontal infection for optimal diabetes control. Periodontal treatment combined with antibiotics has been shown to improve blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, suggesting that treating periodontal disease could decrease insulin requirements.
What Are the Warning Signs ?
DIABETES * Constant hunger or thirst * Frequent urination * Blurred vision * Constant fatigue * Weight loss without trying * Poor wound healing (cuts or bruises that are slow to heal) * Dry mouth * Itchy, dry skin * Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet * Most people with diabetes do not notice any warning signs
PERIODONTAL DISEASE * Red and swollen gums that bleed often during brushing or flossing and are tender to the touch * Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, exposing the roots * Milky white or yellowish plaque deposits, which are usually heaviest between the teeth * Pus between the teeth and gums accompanied by tenderness or swelling in the gum area * A consistent foul, offensive odor from the mouth
IMPORTANT : Physicians and Dentists Need to Work Together – It is important that your dentist be kept up-to-date on your diabetic condition and treatment and that your physician be kept up-to-date on your oral condition and treatment, so that they can work together to help you control your diabetes and prevent or control periodontal disease.
Keep your dentist up-to-date on your diabetic condition and your physician up-to-date on your oral condition. If your diabetic condition is well controlled, periodontal treatment would be the same for you as for a patient without diabetes.
In early stages, treatment usually involves removing the plaque and calculus from the pockets around your teeth.
If the periodontal disease is more severe or if your diabetes is not well controlled, treatment will be more specialized and tailored toward your specific condition. Your dentist may recommend more frequent oral prophylaxes (dental cleanings) involving scaling and root planing or may recommend periodontal surgery.
Diabetes and Your Mouth : Periodontal disease is not the only problem that can occur if you have diabetes. Although you might not be able to prevent these problems, you can minimize the trouble they cause you.
Dry mouth : Xerostomia occurs when your salivary glands don’t produce sufficient saliva to keep your mouth moist, causing tissues in your mouth to become inflamed and sore. It can make chewing, tasting, and swallowing more difficult, as well as cause difficulty in eating, making it more difficult to control blood sugar.
Fungal infection : Candida albicans is a fungus that normally lives inside the mouth without causing any problems. But when you have diabetes, deficient saliva in your mouth and extra sugar in your saliva allow the fungus to cause an infection called candidiasis (thrush), which appears as sore white or red areas in your mouth.
Burning Mouth Syndrome : If you feel severe burning and pain in your mouth even though you don’t see any problems causing it, you may have this syndrome.
Oral surgery complications : If you need oral surgery, diabetes— particularly if poorly controlled—can complicate oral surgery. Diabetes retards healing and increases risk of infection. Your blood sugar levels also may be harder to control after oral surgery. Your dentist should work closely with your physician to minimize possible complications.
If you need oral surgery, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you : Remind your dentist, that you have diabetes and discuss any specific diabetes-related issues.
o Eat before your dental visit so your blood sugar is within normal range.
o Take your usual medications. Your dentist should consult with your physician about whether you can adjust your diabetes medications or take an antibiotic to prevent infection before surgery.
o Plan for your eating needs after surgery. If you’re having dental work that may leave your mouth sore, plan to eat soft or liquid foods that will allow you to eat without pain.
o Wait until your blood sugar is under control. It’s best to have surgery when your blood sugar levels are within your goal range. If your dental needs are urgent and your blood sugar is poorly controlled, talk to your dentist and physician about receiving dental treatments in a hospital.
Source : www.contemporaryoralhygieneonline.com
Disclaimer : The content of this guide is for information purposes only. It does not substitute for the dentist’s professional assessment based on the individual patient’s case.
Dr Sandeep
Add comment April 1, 2009
Dental Tourism In India : A Preview !!!
Welcome to the World of Sahaj Dental Clinic : A Complete Dental Care
Complete Dentistry………Single Destination !!!
Ours is the most Cost-effective destination for Dental Implants with World Class Dental Care at both the Centre’s.
We are the first few “Mercury Free” Dental Clinic’s in India along with International Hygenic Standards !!!
We placed 3 implants in our patient from Ireland at our Allahabad Centre. Along with Dental Treatment Ms. Nina enjoyed her stay at Varanasi a lot.
Another patient we got from Australia , on 22nd July’2005. Mr. Jeff got 3 Implants fixed in his Upper jaw with Direct Sinus Lift. He came to our Gurgaon Centre & had a memorable visit to mesmerizing “Taj Mahal” at Agra and “Pink City” at Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Mr. Hood got 6 unit Full Ceramic Bridge done for his upper ant. teeth, who came all the way from Manchester,U.K.
One of our patient from France got painless Extractions, Root Canal Treatment done in one of his upper right molar & 8 unit Full Ceramic Bridge.
Mr. Prestan Roper from Chesterfield County Public Schools, Virginia, USA, was here in India [at our Allahabad Centre] for some of his Official work & to get his Ceramic Crown fixed, as suggested by his Dentist in USA.
A patient from Romania got his Full Ceramic Bridges made.
Couple from Brisbane, Australia, Bev & David Gray got their Dental work done.
They were here for their Complete Dental Rehabilitation & in spare time they had a great time visiting Glorious Rajasthan.
And there are many more to be mentioned viz., from Belgium, Germany, Norway, Spain, Denmark, Russia, South Africa, Dubai etc.
That’s a whole lot of saving along with great vacation !!!
Dental Tourism is a budding concept for a planned vacation along with total Dental solution and care. Health problems and treatment are very costly in most of the European and American countries compared to this part of the world.We provide excellent package to meet your treatment expenditure and at the same time guide you to spend the vacation. You can enjoy your holidays and receive services related to Dentistry such as Dental Implants at a very affordable price.That is why India has recently become a Major Tourist Hub of Dental Care Solutions.
A dentist can charge US$300 to US$400 for a Dental Filling in USA & Europe. It costs only US$20 to US$40 in India. A Root Canal is US$800 to US$1300 in the West but only US$200 to US$250 in India. Dentures can cost US$1000 overseas but only US$300 in India.
Dental implants, the most sought after dental treatment modality, can cost US$3000 to US$ 5000 abroad, but only US$1100 in India, along with Ceramic prosthesis. The difference in charge of a Dentist from US to India is worth a thought.
You can have your tooth fixed and make your holidays memorable at the same time or simply, enjoy the different hues of Mystic India and get the Dental treatment done without getting a hole in your pocket.
Dr Sandeep
1 comment March 4, 2009
