Diabetes and your mouth

Most people know the complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, nerve disease, and kidney and eye disease.

A lesser known complication of diabetes though is periodontal disease.

 

What is Periodontal Disease and what is the cause?

 

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bones that hold the teeth in the mouth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.  The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on teeth. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11878

 

I was getting my 2x/year teeth cleaning and I asked the Dental Hygienist a few questions…. when I was able.  She said, “most people get alarmed if they see blood but that does not seem to be the case with bleeding gums. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. The gums will be sore and there will be bleeding gums. It can be reversed at this stage.”

 

Prevention is the best way to avoid the need for painful, costly, and time-consuming periodontal treatment. By focusing on use of an effective oral hygiene regimen, you can keep your gums and teeth healthy to help prevent and reverse gingivitis, an early form of periodontal disease.

“Some 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year, even though regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental disease.”https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-health .

 

According to the American Diabetes Association website (diabetes.org), “Emerging research also suggests that the relationship between serious gum disease and diabetes is two-way. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but also serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes. “

 

I remember years ago I had a patient who had a very difficult time lowering blood sugar. After many questions to try to figure out the problem I remember the patient said, “Well yes, my mouth has been bothering me. I have tooth pain and a few teeth fell out. “

 

After he went to the Dentist it was discovered he had an infection in his mouth and advanced Periodontal Disease. As with all infections, serious gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise.

From that experience I have learned that in the quest to help a patient figure out how to manage high blood sugars, I always ask if there is any problems with teeth and gums. A patient may have an infection in the mouth.

 

What to do?

 

1.) Establish an effective oral hygiene regime including:

  • 2 minutes of brushing teeth at least 2x/day. The American Dental Association recommends using a soft-bristled brush. “Firm or even medium-strength bristles may cause damage to your gums and enamel.”

                  Learn how to effectively clean mouth

(https://www.mouthhealthy.org/~/media/MouthHealthy/Files/Kids_Section/ADAHowToBrush_Eng.pdf?la=en

  • Floss at least 1x/day. Learn how to effectively floss (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing-steps)

  • See the Dentist 2x/year, or more often as recommended by your Dentist. Ask your Dentist if an electric toothbrush and/or a waterpik are recommended for you. When bacteria stay on the teeth long enough, they form a film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar, also called calculus. Tartar build-up can spread below the gum line, which makes the teeth harder to clean. Then, only a dental health professional can remove the tartar and stop the periodontal disease process.https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/periodontal_disease/index.htm

 

2.) Managing blood sugar levels will help your body fight any bacterial or fungal infections in your mouth and help relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes. (Dry mouth means less saliva. Saliva helps to kill bacteria. When you don’t have enough saliva, problems start to happen. Gum disease and tooth decay can happen much more easily.)

 

3.) If you wear dentures, clean them daily.

 

4.) Avoid smoking

 

5.) Avoid sugary snacks and soda.

 

6.) Look for American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. Dentists and consumers recognize it as the gold standard for evaluating safety and efficacy of dentalproducts. https://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance

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     I encourage you to do all you can to take care of yourself. Do not neglect your mouth in your     self-care. Be diligent everyday in fighting the bacteria. There is much you can do to prevent periodontal disease.

 

What will you commit doing today for the health of your mouth?

 

“Prevention is better than cure.”   Desiderius Erasmus

Jane Giambrone