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Dental Care with Diabetes:
Sugar and Smiles
by Community Dental Staff Dentist

It is possible to take your teeth to your grave. All of them. Tooth loss is not a natural part of aging.

If you want to maintain your smile, you need to see a dentist regularly. When you go, don't be surprised if your dentist asks you myriad health questions. You may even be referred to a physician for further care. Your mouth has more to do with your overall health than you think.

A good example of this is diabetes. It is not uncommon for the dentist to be the first to identify the disease. And it's not because she or he thinks you eat too much sugar; doing so does not cause diabetes. Diabetes mellitus and periodontal (gum) disease have much in common and are interrelated: both are chronic and cannot be cured—only managed. Most notably, however, is that poor control in one leads to worsening of the other, and improved control of both reduces morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, many people, approximately 5.7 million in the U.S. alone, have diabetes and are unaware. Tantamount to this is that many diabetic patients do not seek dental care.

Diabetes mellitus ranks seventh as the leading cause of death in the U.S. Every year it claims more lives than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Diabetes is also is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years and is the disease responsible for more than half of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults over the age of 35. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, recent research links gum disease to heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, pre-term and low birth weight babies, and respiratory disease, as well as diabetes.

What exactly is diabetes? Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that result from the body's inability to use and/or produce insulin as it should leading to high blood sugar levels. In Type 1, affecting 5-10% of those diagnosed with diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. These patients require insulin therapy for life. In Type 2, affecting the majority of cases, the body does not respond to insulin, as well as its production may be insufficient. These patients may require diet and medication therapy.

Gestational diabetes is a form of the disease that appears during pregnancy and affects approximately 4% of pregnant women. This malaise can lead to complications with the pregnancy as well as health problems in the newborn. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2007, about one in four U.S. adults aged 20 years or older—or 57 million people—had pre-diabetes. People with this condition are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

What exactly is periodontal (gum) disease? Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection and inflammatory disease affecting the tissues that support the teeth. Gingivitis is the mildest form of this disease, characterized by puffy, reddish gums that bleed easily. With the right care, gingivitis can be reversed, but if left untreated it can progress to periodontitis. In this condition, gums pull away from the teeth creating pockets, which can become infected. Continued progression causes more loss of gum tissue and bone destruction. Affected teeth will become loose and eventually lost. Tooth loss can lead to dramatic lifestyle changes as it affects the ability to speak and chew, as well as one's appearance.

While both periodontal disease and diabetes are serious conditions, persons with them can still lead fulfilling lives if the diseases are well-managed. Dentists can reduce the morbidity (disease) and mortality (death) associated with diabetes by maintaining the patient's oral health.

Our ever-changing world requires adaptation. While dentists and physicians work on collaborative efforts to improve healthcare delivery, every individual needs to take ownership of his/her health. If you have ever noticed blood on your toothbrush, saliva or food, if any of your teeth seem to have shifted position or become loose, if you use any tobacco products, or it has been more than two years since your last dental visit, you should see a dentist, even if you don't feel any dental pain. If you find that you have to urinate frequently, experience extreme thirst, hunger, fatigue and/or irritability, notice tingling or numbness in the hands/feet, if you find that you heal slowly from cuts/bruises, have frequent infections or blurred vision, you should contact your physician right away as these are some of the symptoms of diabetes.

Community Dental—Gentle, Safe, and Affordable Dental Care

Our approach is to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes preventative, restorative, and maintenance services by appointment. We accept most dental insurance plans, MaineCare, and walk-in emergencies for those experiencing dental pain. We are taking new patients and treat all ages, so your whole family can become established patients with us.

Give us a call—we have several locations throughout the state and look forward to your visit!

Principal Author: Community Dental Staff Dentist
Date Last Modified: October 7, 2011