Did you know that gum disease is often linked to the control of diabetes? If you are a person with diabetes, ask your dentist to show you how to keep your teeth and gums healthy because persons with diabetes get gum disease more often than people who do not have diabetes, and gum infections can make it harder to control blood sugar. Conversely, good blood sugar control can prevent gum disease.
Because diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. Keeping your own teeth is important for healthy eating. Natural teeth help you chew foods better and easier than you can with dentures. Good nutrition is another way that healthy teeth and gums can make it easier to control blood sugar.
Persons with diabetes with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and lose more teeth than persons who have good control of their diabetes. It is possible to have periodontal disease and not be aware of it. An early warning sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums. Healthy gums do not bleed. A later warning sign is loose teeth. Unfortunately, at this later stage of periodontal disease, so much supporting bone has been lost that there is no alternative than to remove the teeth.
Because of lowered resistance and a longer healing process, periodontal disease often appears more frequently and more severely among persons with diabetes. That's why good maintenance of blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet, good oral care at home, regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations at each appointment are important. For a free comprehensive dental examination by Dr. Dulski to spot problems which could affect the control of your diabetic condition, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester at http://www.dulski.com/banner.html.
Tags: Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease, Diabetes, Dental Examination
About 57 million Americans suffer from pre-diabetes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many find out through routine blood work, it's largely a silent condition.
ReplyDeleteDiabetes is the seventh leading cause of death as of 2007. The disease can lead to nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness & amputation. Annually, diabetes costs the country about $174 million dollars.
This past fall, a CDC report predicted the number of diabetes cases in the country could triple in the next 40 years, in part because obesity is also on the rise.
Good news though - once diagnosed, people with pre-diabetes have a positive chance of staving off diabetes - or even avoiding it all together. By making lifestyle changes.
Topping the list is an exercise program. Those with pre-diabetes or diabetes should strive for about 150 minutes of exercise a week, or 30 minutes a day, five days a week. (summary of article written December 6, 2010's issue of Times-Tribune)
Patient with diabetes should be aware about connection between periodontal disease and diabetes.They need to maintain every six month appoitment in order to maintain their teeth and gum healthy. This way they will avoid any complication of diabetes
ReplyDeleteMany people are unaware of their physical conditions because they do not see their physician regularly. If you have not had a physical in the past year please make an appointment soon. Proper testing can evaluate your glucose level as well as cholesterol and blood pressure. All these conditions can also affect your oral health.
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