Teeth Care and Diabetes

Taking care of your teeth can be hard; but if in addition to taking care of your teeth, you have another disease or diseases to take care of, this can complicated treatment. Many patients that we take care of, in addition to having oral problems; they often also have other diseases that can complicate dental treatments. Overall diseases like diabetes, heart-problems or cancer, can cause damage to certain parts of the body, in addition to pain and even degenerate a patient’s body.

Diabetes – What is it?

Diabetes is a disorder in endocrine system (hormone); the problem occurs when blood sugar levels are above normal and constantly stay above normal. This disease affects more than 25 million people in the U.S. Diabetes is categories into two types: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. When someone suffers from diabetes, different symptoms can be felt and if not treated on time the complications can be fatal.

Diabetes Symptoms:

• Increase in thirst and/or appetite
• Blurred vision (loss of vision)
• Nausea (including vomit)
• Unusual weight lost or weight gain
• Slow healing (cuts or sores)
• Itchy Skin
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Unusual/increase urination

Type 1 Diabetes

Our bodies are magnificently made; we truly are a great creation and have many wonderful structures and abilities. For example our pancreas, a glandular organ in the digestive system, is responsible for producing important hormones as well digestive enzymes.

However, when one suffers Type 1 Diabetes, the body’s own immune system attacks the pancreas and the various hormones produce by the endocrine system. The result is: complete deficiency of the insulin hormone. Insulin main role is to help transport certain nutrients into our body’s cells tissue. Cells use the sugar and the nutrients as a source of energy to function. If the transport of the nutrients is not reach one or more of the symptoms will be felt.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas either does not make enough insulin or the insulin made cannot be used by the body. Doctors use the term insulin resistance, when describing these symptoms.

In Type 2 Diabetes glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood and not in the body’s cell tissues. The consequences include, but are not limited:

• Dehydration – when sugar builds up in your body, the affected patient will have increase urination.
• Damage to the body – high glucose levels in blood will damage nerves and small vessels located in: eyes, kidneys or heart. If damage consists a heart attack or stroke can happen.
• Diabetic Coma – as mentioned if the patient is unable to control Type 2 Diabetes; this body stress can result in death.

Dental Treatments and Diabetes

Having diabetes is a very hard disease; the affected may need to take a number of medications, have special diets and take extra care of their teeth. If the affected is unable to controlled diabetes, infections on their teeth can increase; this is caused because diabetes reduces the blood supply to the gums.

When a patient has diabetes and the sugar levels in blood are high, dry mouth can occurred; increasing the buildup of plaque and increasing the chance for tooth-decay. In addition to dry mouth, the affected can suffer bleeding or sore gums, bad breath and gingivitis. Other symptoms that an affected face is the damages to nerves, this can be especially harsh when eating, having temperature changes from cold or hot foods and pain caused by inflammation.

Keep in mind that every patient will react differently to treatment and if a patient with diabetes is able to control his sugar levels, there is no increased risk of dental problems.

Preventing Dental Problems

• Control glucose levels in blood.
• Quit smoking, if you smoke.
• Brush and floss your teeth (minimum 2X day)
• Inform your dentist you have diabetes and what type.
• Have dental check up on a regular basis (every 6 months if possible)

We want our readers to have as much information as possible related to this subject; Sani Dental Group wants you know how to care for your teeth and if you have diabetes, know what extra steps you need to take. For Sani Dental Group, not only your smile is important, but also your health. Therefore we want to provide you information that can increased your knowledge and help you improve your life. Call toll free 1-855-SANI-DDS or (928) 257-1307 and make an appointment with us for more information.