Type 2 diabetes is truly a difficult medical condition to manage. The disease affects so many organs in the body and the mouth and gums are not spared. If there is an existing gum problem, diabetes exacerbates the effects and loss of teeth from gum recession, is the outcome. Diabetics without teeth or with less teeth, will find it very difficult to chew meat and tough foods. They move to soft diets and this can aggravate their diabetes. It has been found that diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease can lead to atherosclerosis which occurs when deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol etc., builds up in the inner lining of an artery. This build-up of plaque is what leads to blocked arteries and when floating around can get lodged in a coronary artery and result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Researchers have stressed, that patients with Type 2 diabetes who receive periodontal treatment have their oxidative stress levels reduced. Oxidative stress level is the condition where the blood anti-oxidant levels are lower than normal. Periodontal therapy decreased the lipid peroxide levels in diabetic patients to that of non-diabetic patients.
Every day we find more and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes. Research confirms that patients with diabetes should be especially conscious of their oral health. While more research is being undertaken to probe this link further we all know that timely and preventive oral hygiene treatment saves teeth and improves overall health. To improve the health of a diabetic, we must eliminate all risk factors sooner than later. We all acknowledge that there is no cure for diabetes. However, minimizing the consequences of the disease results in far less damage to the organs in the body. A Preventive Care program is the only way to manage a diabetic, once the condition has been diagnosed. Would it not have been better, to have Preventive Care started years before being diagnosed with diabetes?
If you would like to have additional information on Periodontal disease or would like an assessment of your Oral Health, please contact us. At Caring 4 Smiles Dental Group, every patient is enrolled in a long term preventive care plan. Assessing Oral risks is our constant focus. Welcome to our very caring practice.