The effects of diabetes on oral health

The effects of diabetes on oral health

by | Oct 13, 2016 | Oral Conditions and Issues, Oral Links to General Health, Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms

The effects of diabetes on oral health

There are many well-known complications associated with diabetes and untreated high blood sugar levels. They include kidney disease (nephropathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), heart disease, eye damage (retinopathy) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). But one overlooked health condition in the top ten list of possible complications of diabetes is oral health. If left untreated, diabetes can gradually affect your oral health in many ways.

When you have the condition, you are at higher risk for certain oral health conditions. High blood sugar and the side effects of some diabetes medication can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is the result of a decrease in the saliva production in your mouth. Without the cleansing and protective effects of saliva, bacteria thrive, and gum tissue can become irritated and inflamed. A dry mouth condition can lead to its own set of oral health complications such as tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, dental bleeding, salivary gland infections, oral thrush and mouth sores.

Uncontrolled diabetes can affect white blood cells also. White blood cells are the main defence against oral infections. (Diabetics with a haemoglobin A1C levels above 8% indicate poor control) In turn, as oral inflammation and infection develops, the body’s blood sugar levels may increase. Consequently, diabetics with severe gum disease (periodontitis) may find it even harder to keep their blood sugar levels under control.

There are several warning signs of oral health problems that may be diabetes related:

  • Redness, swelling or tenderness in the gums
  • Pain or soreness in the mouth
  • Teeth that are loose or have shifted
  • Constant bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
  • Loss of taste
  • A dry, sticky sensation in your mouth
  • Unusual colour of your tongue
The effects of diabetes on oral health

While your dentist can not diagnose diabetes, they are often one of the first health care professionals to recognise a group of oral health symptoms – that are not within the scope of typical dental health issues.

It is important to take the right steps to keep your mouth healthy if you have diabetes:

  1. Control and manage your blood glucose levels
  2. Brush and floss twice daily
  3. Use a tongue scrapper and an antibacterial mouthwash
  4. Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleans
  5. Keep your dentist informed about your diabetes and your medication
  6. Consult your dentist or doctor about any unusual symptoms and health concerns

With better management of your diabetes, careful attention to your diet, and good oral health and hygiene, you can work toward achieving better overall health and well-being.

Dentists to join the fight against heart disease?

Dentists to join the fight against heart disease?

by | Apr 7, 2016 | News and Research, Oral Links to General Health, Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms

he theme for World Oral Health Day 2016 is “Health Mouth. Healthy Body”. It aims to raise awareness of the link between oral health and other diseases of the body. In today’s post, we continue to spotlight this theme with a focus on the link between gum disease and heart disease. In Australia, heart disease is the single biggest killer of women – with three times as many women dying from it than breast cancer. There is a good community awareness and understanding of heart disease risk factors, such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and physical inactivity. That’s because there is a lot of medical-sourced information and press-coverage to increase awareness of this set of risk factors.

Yet the oral health links with heart disease are usually not mentioned in any medical-sourced information about heart disease risk factors – even though there is a lot of scientific  research and evidence to support this link. Why? Because Dentistry is a separate field of study from Medicine. But in 2014, the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry and College of Medicine presented a joint study at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Dentists to join the fight against heart disease?
The medical and dental researchers studied mice infected with four specific bacteria that cause gum disease in humans. After the bacteria had spread to the mouse heart and aorta, the researchers detected an increase in cholesterol and inflammation in the test mice – risk factors associated with heart disease. The study was part of a greater study on the links between gum disease and over-all health being conducted by the UFL’s Department of Periodontology Dr. Lakshmyya Kesavalu, an Associate Professor within the department explained, ” The mouth is the gateway to the body and our data provides one more piece of a growing body of research that points to direct connections between oral health and systemic health.”

Dr. Alexandra Lucas, a cardiologist from UFL’s College of Medicine and co-investigator in the research stated, “Our intent is to increase physician awareness of links between oral bacterial infection and heart disease. Understanding the importance of treating gum disease in patients with heart disease will lead to future studies and recommendations for careful attention to oral health in order to protect patients against heart disease,” The American Heart Foundation has since acknowledged the causal links between gum disease and heart disease.

Dentists to join the fight against heart disease?

They list a number of related research articles on their website. To date, the National Heart Foundation of Australia has not raised awareness to help increase public knowledge  about the potential effects of gum disease on heart health. Clearly, the medical and dental fields still need to establish better co-operation, so that gum disease in not overlooked – when treating patients for heart disease.

What serious health conditions are linked to your oral health?

What serious health conditions are linked to your oral health?

by | Mar 9, 2016 | Diagnosis, Oral Links to General Health, Prevention, Signs and Symptoms

Your oral health might affect or be affected by a number of diseases and health conditions, including:

  • Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. At the same time, gum inflammation interferes with your body’s ability to make effective use of insulin. Serious gum disease appears to be more common and severe among people with diabetes. Research also shows that people with gum disease have less control over their blood sugar levels.
  • Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and porous — periodontal bone loss may be an early indicator.
  • Heart disease. Research has found that gum inflammation is linked to clogged arteries because of the proportion of dead white blood cells that make up arterial plaque. .
  • Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature births and low birth weight.
  • HIV/AIDS. Mucosal lesions are common in people with HIV/AIDS.
  • Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria makes its way to the damaged areas of your heart from other from other places in your body. One of those places is your mouth.
  • Alzheimer’s disease. Losing teeth before the age of 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
What serious health conditions are linked to your oral health?

Always inform and update your dentist of any other health conditions you have and what medication you are taking – for example, diabetes or a heart condition. World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is on 20 March. It is an international day to promote worldwide awareness of the issues around oral health.   Leeming Dental Centre care about your dental health and announce Wold Oral health Day to Perth communities. To protect your oral health, practice good oral care and hygiene, remember to:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day.
  • Floss once daily.
  • Eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary and starchy snacks.
  • Replace your toothbrush regularly.
  • Attend regular dental appointments.

Also, contact your dentist as soon you experience an oral health issue. By taking care of your oral health, you are investing in your total health and well-being.