Gum
Disease A Problem For People With Diabetes
Prevention
Is Key, Experts Say
Just
as a glucose monitoring kit is indispensable to someone with
diabetes, so is a toothbrush and floss. Maintaining good oral
health is important to help prevent complications of the disease,
experts say.
At a recent meeting
of the American Dental Association, Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat,
dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, summarized
current studies related to diabetes and oral health.
"Periodontal
disease, leading to tooth rot, tends to be far more common and severe
in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes," says Dr.
Jeffcoat.
Experts
Say Oral Problems a Major Concern
Many physicians who
specialize in diabetes consider periodontal disease another major complication
of the disease, Dr. Jeffcoat says.
Periodontal disease
is an infection, and as with other infections diabetics suffer, glucose
control tends to be compromised, Dr. Jeffcoat says.
However, "Studies
have shown that treating the infection tends to improve glucose control,"
she notes.
Diabetics are much
more prone to all types of infections, Dr. Jeffcoat says. This also applies
to gum disease, which is caused by bacteria lodged between the teeth and
gums.
"Diabetics are
more prone to lose teeth in the same way they have more problems with
their eyes, skin, feet, heart, and kidneys," she says.
Dr. Eugene Barrett,
a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia and the president
of the American Diabetes Association, says the increase
in periodontal disease may be caused by an increased amount of sugar found
in the saliva of diabetics.
"Another cause,
which may be even more of an issue, is that when sugar levels are high
the ability of white blood cells to fight infection is diminished,"
Dr. Barrett says. And the higher the blood sugar, the less effective white
blood cells become," he says.
Regular
Dental Checkups a Must
People with diabetes
should make a point of having regular dental checkups, Dr. Jeffcoat says.
She advises her patients to see their dentist at least four times each
year.
"We want to pick
up any early signs of gum disease before it becomes more severe,"
she says. The goal is to treat the disease and provide preventive care
before oral surgery is needed, Dr. Jeffcoat stresses.
The first line of
defense is a good cleaning above and below the gums, she says. At home,
patients should floss and brush twice daily.
Dr. Jeffcoat says
that with diabetic patients, dentists need to look for any signs of disease
and treat it aggressively.
To patients she says,
"I know it's one more thing to worry about, but it's one more thing
we can really help with. Seeing your dentist will help prevent future
gum disease and help you keep your teeth for a lifetime."
Always consult your
physician for more information.
Online
Resources
American
Dental Association
American
Diabetes Association
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Diabetes
Care
National
Diabetes Education Program
National
Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD)
National
Insitutes of Health (NIH)
National
Library of Medicine, at NIH
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December 2003
In This
Issue:
Gum
Disease A Problem For People With Diabetes
Experts
Say Oral Problems a Major Concern
Regular
Dental Checkups a Must
Diabetes
and Periodontal Diseases
Types
of Periodontal Disease
Online
Resources
Other
Resources:
Find
a St. John's Mercy Physician
Diabetes
Services at St. John's Mercy
Diabetes
Health Information
St.
John's Mercy Classes and Programs
In
Other Diabetes Health News:
Diabetes
and Periodontal Disease
Because of blood
vessel changes that occur with diabetes, the thickened blood vessels can
impair the efficiency of the flow of nutrients and removal of wastes from
body tissues. This impaired blood flow can weaken the gums and bone, making
them more susceptible to infection.
In addition, if diabetes
is poorly controlled, higher glucose levels in the mouth fluids will encourage
the growth of bacteria that can cause gum disease.
A third factor, smoking,
is harmful to oral health even for people without diabetes. However, a
person with diabetes who smokes is at a much greater risk for gum disease
than a person who does not have diabetes.
Paired with poor oral
hygiene, diabetes can lead to gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal
disease, or to periodontitis, severe gum disease.
The following are
the most common symptoms of gum disease:
- red, swollen, tender
gums
- bleeding while
brushing and/or flossing
- loose or separating
teeth
- persistent odorous
breath
- pus between the
teeth and gums
- a change in bite
and jaw alignment
Types
of Periodontal Disease
The different types
of periodontal disease are often classified by the stage the disease has
advanced to at the time of evaluation, including:
gingivitis
With gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, the gums are
likely to become red, swollen, and tender, causing them to bleed easily
during daily cleanings and flossing. Treatment by a dentist and proper,
consistent care at home help to resolve the problems associated with gingivitis.
mild periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis leads to mild periodontitis. This stage of gum disease
shows evidence of the bone around the tooth starting to erode. Prompt
medical attention is necessary to prevent further erosion and damage.
moderate to
advanced periodontitis
This most advanced stage of gum disease shows significant bone and tissue
loss surrounding the teeth.The symptoms of gum disease may resemble other
conditions or medical problems. Consult a dentist or other oral health
specialist for a diagnosis.
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