Sweet Tooth

Diabetes: Dental Tips

Diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth.

People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar).

Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you do not have enough saliva—the fluid that keeps your mouth wet. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth.

Take steps to keep your mouth healthy.

If you have diabetes, follow these steps:

• Control your blood glucose.
• Brush and floss every day.
• Visit dentist regularly. Be sure to tell the dentist that you have diabetes.
• Tell the dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if your gums are sore.
• Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. There are smoking cessation programs that can help quit smoking.

Visit www.mydentistchino.com or Call 909 627 6699 for additional information.

Mouth-Health Connection

   Health Links & Periodontal Disease. What’s the Big Deal?

 

    
 Currently Periodontal disease has been linked to other health problems such as: Respiratory problems, Diabetes, Heart Disease, some cancers and low birth-weight babies.

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/periodontal-disease-heart-health)

         

“The diagnosis of Periodontal disease can be alarming, especially when you learn how other systemic diseases are also linked with Periodontal problems,” says Dr. Vijaya Cherukuri from her Chino, California Dental Practice.www.chinosmiles.com

         

“Not only are there links to health concerns with Periodontal Disease, but in general it is easier to find the manifestations of disease in the mouth,” Dr.Cherukuri www.chinosmiles.com goes on to explain. “Often your dentist is the one who is able to spot and diagnose other conditions as well.” When that happens, your dentist will refer you to your medical provider for follow up blood work. It is why it is important to see your dentist on a regular basis.

         

While the diagnosis of periodontal disease may seem unsettling, the good news is that Periodontal disease is many times controllable and it is good to know your dentist is looking out for more than just your teeth.

Another great reason to see your dentist on a regular basis!

"Toothbrushes Trump Seat Belts"

 As important as seat belts are as a preventative measure, toothbrushes have a far greater impact on the health and longevity of the American public.

According to NHTSA, seat belts save over 13,000 lives a year, nationwide. While few of our patients die from a car crash, many will succumb to heart attack or cancer.  Periodontal disease is a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke, low- birthweight infants and some forms of cancer.  Estimates are that about 80% of American adults suffer either from gingvitis or periodontal disease.  Using a tooth brush and eliminating periodontal disease reduces the chances of sufferring from these life altering medical conditions.

The Oral Systemic connection has long been an established fact but it has recently been relabeled "The Theory of Focal Infection"  The bacteria  originating in mouth enter the blood stream and infect the blood vessel walls of the heart.. Bacterial products in the blood can also stimulate liver production  of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, both directly linked to heart attacks.

Although periodontal disease is one amongst the many other risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol ,stress,  lack of exercise &  genetics, the combination of these factors add layer upon layer of increased risk of suffering a heart attack.  Periodontal disease is an important risk factor for strokes. Periodontal disease increases the likelihood of a heart attack by 24-35%.

In a recent study, a direct correlation between the amount of periodontal bacteria present and blood pressure has been established.

Totally wiping out periodontal disease will eliminate 158,000 heart attacks, nearly half of which are fatal.  Add to that the thousands of lives that would be saved by reducing cancers, controlling diabetes, preamature births etc- from a public health point of view, tooth brushes save more lives than seat belts!!!
 

The Mouth is the Mirror to your Body

Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection

Years ago, a physician who suspected heart disease would probably not refer the patient to a gum specialist. The same went for diabetes, pregnancy, or just about any other medical condition. Times have changed. The past 5 to 10 years have seen ballooning interest in possible links between mouth health and body health.
"Physicians are taking a more holistic approach to their patients’ overall health," says Sally Cram, DDS, PC, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. And for good reason. In one recent study, people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

What Your Dental Health Says About You

It's easy to ignore the effects of poor oral hygiene because they're hidden in your mouth. But gum disease may point to problems with diabetes and heart disease and loose teeth could be a sign of osteoporosis. Could it be that a healthy mouth means more than just a sparkling smile? And what could your dentist learn about you the next time you open wide?

• Read more about what your mouth says about you

Additional Links:

• Bad Breath: a Sign of Something More Harmful?
• Diet and Healthy Teeth
• 13 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Life
• Tooth Whitening: What Works and When to Say No

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this article, WebMD answers two questions about the mouth-body connection. Why can the health of your mouth affect your whole body? And why are simple habits like daily brushing and flossing more important than you might think?

Your Mouth, the Gateway to Your Body

To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that builds up on teeth make gums prone to infection. The immune system moves in to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is brought under control.
Over time, inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

Oral Health and Diabetes

The working relationship between diabetes and periodontitis may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and body. Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble processing sugar because of a lack of insulin, the hormone that converts sugar into energy.
"Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin," says Pamela McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. To further complicate matters, diabetes and periodontitis have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections. Fortunately you can use the gum disease-diabetes relationship to your favor: managing one can help bring the other under control.

Oral Health and Heart Disease

Though the reasons are not fully understood, it’s clear that gum disease and heart disease often go hand in hand. Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% of people with no heart disease. The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and excess weight. And some suspect that periodontitis has a direct role in raising the risk for heart disease as well.
"The theory is that inflammation in the mouth causes inflammation in the blood vessels," says Cram. This can increase the risk for heart attack in a number of ways. Inflamed blood vessels allow less blood to travel between the heart and the rest of the body, raising blood pressure. "There’s also a greater risk that fatty plaque will break off the wall of a blood vessel and travel to the heart or the brain, causing a heart attack or stroke," Cram explains.

Oral Health and Pregnancy

Babies born too early or at a low birth weight often have significant health problems, including lung conditions, heart conditions, and learning disorders. While many factors can contribute to premature or low birth weight deliveries, researchers are looking at the possible role of gum disease. Infection and inflammation in general seem to interfere with a fetus’ development in the womb.
Though men have periodontitis more often than women do, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk. For the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, McClain recommends a comprehensive periodontal exam "if you’re pregnant or before you become pregnant to identify whether or not you’re at risk."

Oral Health and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and periodontitis have an important thing in common, bone loss. The link between the two, however, is controversial. Cram points out that osteoporosis affects the long bones in the arms and legs, whereas gum disease attacks the jawbone. Others point to the fact that osteoporosis mainly affects women, whereas periodontitis is more common among men.
Though a link has not been well established, some studies have found that women with osteoporosis have gum disease more often than those who do not. Researchers are testing the theory that inflammation triggered by periodontitis could weaken bone in other parts of the body.

Oral Health and Smoking

Not smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your mouth and your body. According to the CDC, a smoker’s risk of severe gum disease is three times higher than someone who does not smoke.
"Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict," McClain tells WebMD. This interferes with your gums’ ability to fight infection. Not only that, smoking interferes with treatment -- gum surgeries tend to be more complicated and recovery more difficult.

Oral Health and Other Conditions

The impact of oral health on the body is a relatively new area of study. Some other mouth-body connections under current investigation include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis. Treating periodontal disease has been shown to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lung Conditions. Periodontal disease may make pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse, possibly by increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs.
• Obesity. Two studies have linked obesity to gum disease. It appears that periodontitis progresses more quickly in the presence of higher body fat.

The Bottom Line on Oral Health

One thing is clear: the body and mouth are not separate. "Your body can affect your mouth and likewise, your mouth can affect your body," says McClain. "Taking good care of your teeth and gums can really help you live well longer." This means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and going for regular dental cleanings and check-ups.
Cram stresses the importance of letting your dentist know your full family medical history. And, she adds, "if you have periodontal disease, make sure you see your dentist frequently and get it treated promptly, before it progresses to the point where you begin losing teeth or it starts to affect your overall health.

Call Dr. Cherukuri for more information on the Mouth Body Connection 909 627 6699 or visit us at www.chinosmiles.com

Dental check up more than just a cleaning!!

Did you know that several medical conditions  present signs in the mouth that make detection and an early diagnosis possible!

Some months back, a patient came into the office with abscessed teeth around root canals that were done in our office several years ago. Unable to find any deficiencies in the root canal, he was referred to the endodontist (root canal specialist) for a consultation. Dr. Endodontist recommended that he see a medical doctor as soon as possible. He suspected an underlying medical condition, perhaps uncontrolled diabetes.  Our patient was quickly seen by his Physician and sure enough- he was diagnosed with severe uncontrolled diabetes.

There were also a couple of instances in my early practice years where a patient was profusely bleeding after routine deep cleaning procedures. An emergency blood work up revealed leukemia.

Recent research has confirmed the presence of genetic markers in the saliva for early detection of pancreatic cancer. There is a lot more to a dental check up than "just getting your teeth cleaned" THE MOUTH IS THE MIRROR TO YOUR BODY"