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
(Our Organization
is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.)
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
|
December 2003
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
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 advance 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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