Diabetes: The 'toothy' Side Of The Tale
Julia Hanf
Diabetes holds the distinction of being one of the few diseases which is as prolific in the causes that lead to it, as the conditions which it, in turn, brings about. When mismanaged, the disease leaves virtually no part of your body untouched, beginning at your heart and kidneys and moving forward to your eyes, teeth and even your nervous system. However, while these facets of diabetes are relatively better known, a large majority of people all over the world are still in the dark about the effect diabetes has on their teeth. Periodontal disease, which is a bacterial infection of the gums and the bone which fasten your teeth to your mouth, damages them, thus promoting decay and eventually a permanent loss of teeth. This infection further goes on to hamper your diabetes management, thus forcing the victim to deal with further diabetes complications, while also struggling to keep his periodontal disease in control.
Periodontal disease first takes root when bacteria begin to develop in the plaque around your teeth. This causes your gum to become inflamed, and can occur in a single tooth, or spread all over your jaw. Diabetics are common prey for periodontal disease as the high glucose levels in their bloodstream allows the bacteria nourishment to feed on. Also, the poor blood circulation most diabetics suffer from further compounds the problem, as the teeth when starved of oxygen and nourishment are quick to contract disease.
Like most other forms of infection, periodontal disease has distinct phases of development, developing into the more mature phases quickly and surreptitiously when given the opportunity to do so. The first stage, where the bacterial infection affects the gums and aggravates them is known as Gingivitis. This phase is relatively easy to overcome and can be dealt with by simply brushing and flossing everyday while also getting your teeth regularly cleaned by your dentist. On the other hand, if these basic measures are not followed, the disease soon proceeds to its next phase, which is a far more difficult one to correct.
At the second phase, the plaque on your teeth grows harder and denser and accumulates under your gums, pulling them away from your teeth. This creates gaps, or pockets of infection that may even destroy the bone anchoring your teeth, leading to tooth loss. The progression from Gingivitis to periodontitis is barely imperceptible and waiting for pain and loose teeth will mean that you have already let this disease advance to its more mature phase. And so, if you do find that your inflammation and bleeding do not subside after meticulous cleaning, it is advisable you visit a periodontist for specialized treatment.
Your dentist, or periodontist as the case may be, will attempt to treat this disease by prying the plaque and infected tissue off your gums and teeth and letting them heal, so that the healthy gum tissue can grow back and cover the pockets. Make sure you follow up this treatment by being meticulous about brushing and flossing regularly, so that the disease does not rebound. If this treatment does prove ineffective, your dentist might have to seek recourse to surgery to treat your gums and extract the disease, so that you don't have to have your infected tooth extracted to secure the remainder of your pearly whites.
As a victim of diabetes, it is essential you discuss your treatment and diabetes control with your dentist, as your insulin dosage and meal schedule may need to be altered as per your periodontal treatment. A more foolproof course of action would be to have your physician talk to your dentist prior to your treatment to ensure that the treatment of one condition does not interfere with that of the other. Your dentist may also recommend that you postpone your periodontal treatment in case your diabetes is poorly managed as it may cause certain challenging complications.
The poor blood circulation which diabetes brings about makes healing and recovery more lengthy and excruciating than otherwise. Again, periodontal disease is another one of those ailments which is easy to reverse if diagnosis and correctional measures are taken in time. At this point, even though diabetes may seem like an overwhelming impediment, it does help to remember that keeping your diabetes management intact can go a long way in ensuring that these diseases are kept at bay for a large majority of your life. Even if you have been allowing your diabetes to get the better of you, it's time to sit up and take control right now with just a little awareness and a few lifestyle changes, you could be bidding periodontal disease a permanent goodbye!
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.
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