Nashville Diabetes Dentist

Generally speaking, people have difficulty comprehending how diabetes can be related to oral health. While diabetes itself is not a death sentence, provided it is kept under control. However, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe health issues including dental problems.

How (the hard stuff)

1. Increased Infection and Delayed Healing. Immunologic research has shown several defects like impaired migration, intracellular killing, chemotaxis, and reduced phagocytic capabilities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in host immune defense mechanisms. Take home message—- this may make the diabetic person prone to infection and delayed healing.

2. Bacteria Most of the virulent micro-organisms thrive on sugar. Uncontrolled diabetes results in high blood glucose level and therefore, high glucose level in the tissue fluids. That in turn, harbors those germs to cause tissue destruction.

3. Blood Vessel Changes Macrovascular and microvascular disease dysfunction may result in compromised local circulation leading to delayed response to infection and impaired wound healing. Thickened blood vessels impair the flow o nutrients to the tissue and the removal of harmful waste products of the tissue. This can increase the risk of the gum tissue to infection and destruction.

4. Hypergylcemia also causes oxidative stress in tissue; stimulates epithelial cell proliferation, vascular permeability, and increase apoptosis (programmed cell death) Hyperglycemia alters the normal metabolic pathways. The byproducts of altered metabolic processes are the destructive free radicals that also cause tissue destruction.

Points to Remember (the easy stuff now)

1. Good diabetic control is the best protection against periodontal disease. Pretty simple and straightforward.

2. Smokers are 5 times more likely than nonsmokers to have periodontal disease. For smokers with diabetes, the risk is even greater. A person who is 45 or older with diabetes, is 20 times more likely than a person without these risk factors to have periodontal disease.

3. Dry mouth is often a symptom of undetected diabetes. This can lead to soreness, ulceration, infections, and dental decay. Diabetic patients may have unusual redness and / or tenderness of the tissue in the front of the mouth. It can also be throughout the mouth.

4. Poor oral hygiene can compound the destructive nature of periodontal breakdown.

5. Go to your physician on a regular basis to get diagnosed for diabetes. Early diagnosis is the best possible way to minimize the risk of damage. The same is true in the case where diabetes has already been established.Careful monitoring of the blood glucose level and HbA1c shows how well the disease has been kept under control.

Regular dental visits are also very crucial.

Not All Dentists Are the Same

No Matter What You Have Heard….

A report published in The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice stated: “The dental profession is SEVERELY LACKING in this (diabetes care) knowledge base at a time when the disease is nearing epidemic proportions.” If you are diabetic, YOU NEED a dentist thoroughly knowledgeable about YOUR special needs.

Together, we can make an important and significant difference for you. You can take responsibility for your health and your life. Take advantage of our FREE EXAM offer. You’ll be glad you did, it will include any x-rays
needed and a thorough dental exam at no charge to you. Call us today at 1800 FIX MY TEETH

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