Archive for the ‘Diabetes’ Category

Periodontal Treatment Lowers Medical Costs for Diabetics

Monday, March 26th, 2012

A recent study was just released at the 41st Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). It studied medical costs for diabetic patients with periodontal disease who received periodontal treatment and those that did not receive periodontal treatment. Hospital admissions decreased by 33% and cost savings for medical care averaged almost $2000 per year for those that received

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periodontal treatment.

For more info: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/iaa-ptr032112.php

 

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Posted in Diabetes, Periodontal Disease | No Comments »

CRP or Cytokines

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

CRP (C-reactive protein) is an indicator for general inflammation in the body. It is one of several cytokines and is often used interchangeably when talking about either. Cytokines are the invisible enemy; the higher the number, the higher the level of inflammation in the body. Periodontal disease creates biofilms which creates infection which creates higher levels of cytokines.

In the presence of infection, the blood cells (that are racing around looking for infections) release the cytokines and tell the body to manufacture more blood cells. Periodontal disease is chronic so there is a never ending call for the body to manufacture more blood cells and release more cytokines.

This merry-go-round is what is stressing out the body. Unfortunately, these cytokines inflame all the internal lumens of arteries (not just the gums and tissue around the teeth) and are responsible for a cascade effect for many systemic diseases, such as heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, diabetes, pancreatic cancer, respiratory diseases, oral and throat cancer, lung cancer, prostatitis, erectile dysfunction, children with low birth weight, chronic fatigue syndrome and most recently osteoporosis and breast cancer, These cytokines interact with the whole body’s system causing inflammatory immune response or stress.

Professional dental cleanings strip the biofilm in the mouth, similar to cutting down a forest. In literally hours, the biofilm is trying to reorganize.

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 Left unchecked, the new biofilm (forest) is reorganized (re-grown) in seventy days. Microscopic destruction occurs within a week. Ten times the amount of damage to the body is done between the third to the sixth month after a cleaning versus the first to the third month after a cleaning.

That is why three month professional dental cleanings are so important. The cleanings gets rid of the biofilm, gets rid of the inflammatory process and gets rid of the cytokines, which is taxing the entire system. Professional cleanings will not do it on its own. Three dimensional home cleaning (around each tooth) is essential to maintaining low levels of inflammatory response.

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Posted in Breast Cancer, Cancers, COPD, Diabetes, Endometriosis, Heart Disease, Immune System, Low Birth Weights, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Other Diseases, Periodontal Disease, Prostate Inflammation, Stroke | No Comments »

New Role For Dentists

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

 

Hundreds of years ago it was the barber who treated teeth. Then the body of knowledge grew to create the dental profession. Today, you usually think of the dentist as the doctor who handles teeth and gums. But so much recent evidence is pouring in – to not only increase our knowledge but to change the way we think in how diseases in the mouth affect the body – that the dentist may enter a new role in the future. That role is to aid in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, COPD, and cancer. How? By preventing and treating periodontal disease.

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Patients with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, COPD, and cancer have increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in their blood. CRP is an indicator of widespread inflammation in the body. Physicians agree that measuring levels of CRP is important in evaluating the risks to these diseases as well as monitoring their success in treatment. In fact CRP levels were found to be more accurate in predicting heart issues than cholesterol levels.

 

Current research indicates that periodontal disease contributes to increased levels of CRP. Periodontal disease is infection in the gums that produces oral bacterial byproducts that enter the blood stream and trigger the liver to make proteins.

 

Treating periodontal disease reduces the CRP levels and it is believed is as important in reducing the risk to systemic diseases as is weight control, exercise, and not smoking. Of all the ways to keep your body healthy and reducing the risk to systemic diseases, getting your teeth cleaned every three months (instead of the traditional six months) is by far the easiest for individuals and perhaps one of the best.

 

 

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Posted in Breast Cancer, Cancers, COPD, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Immune System, Osteoporosis, Other Diseases, Periodontal Disease, Prostate Inflammation, Stroke, Your Teeth | No Comments »

Cleaner Teeth May Increase Longevity

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

There is one more way to increase the longevity of your life besides the common platitudes to stop smoking, lose weight, eat more fruits and vegetables, and exercise. An often overlooked and under publicized tip to a healthier body is to keep your teeth clean. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, reports that 80 percent of all adults have some degree of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is linked to or is a potential risk factor for those with damaged heart valves, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and behavioral and psychosocial conditions according to The American Academy of Periodontology, which has been reviewing the data. It is the most pervasive infectious disease on earth.

The cause of this insidious disease stems from the plaque-producing bacteria, found among the almost 500 species of bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease live in the absence of air, like it warm, dark and acidic. They provide the furry feeling on teeth upon awakening. The acidic bio-film forms a sticky, water resistant shield around the tooth, called plaque. Water alone (swishing or oral irrigating) cannot penetrate this grease barrier to remove plaque. In addition, gums act like a gasket around the tooth, further preventing air or water to reach the “air hating” bacteria along the gum line, making cleaning especially difficult.

Restorations, crowns, bridges, orthodontic appliances, wisdom teeth, implants, periodontal disease, or not flossing, will sustain dangerous levels of bacteria even after brushing. Bacteria (good or bad) reproduce exponentially every hour.  This means that if you start off with a bacteria population of 1x (1x being the amount of bacteria in your mouth after a professional cleaning – which you can’t achieve in the home), after one hour you have double the population of bacteria, and after two hours you have 4x, then 8x, 16x, etc. Poor cleaning in a few areas will leave heavy concentrations of plaque that can repopulate other areas of the oral cavity.

You may start with a bacteria population of 10,000x and in a few hours bacteria will quickly race out of control. To reduce the plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth, one must a) break through the sticky shield with an abrasive, b) cleanse the site, c) aerate the site, and d) neutralize the acid.

Normal cleaning methods, like brushing and flossing, have a difficult time accessing the sites between the teeth or can’t break through the sticky film, don’t aerate those sites, and don’t neutralize the acid.

The American Dental Society reports that only 5% of the population flosses their teeth. Drawbacks to flossing are possible gum lacerations and the floss can act as a contaminant bringing infection from one tooth to the other.

Flossing does not aerate the site nor neutralize the acid. Tooth brushing is over aggressive on the cheek-side surfaces of teeth causing toothbrush abrasion and ridges along the gum line, resulting in sensitivity to hot and cold, while still not accessing in between the teeth. Tooth brushing also does not aerate the sites to change the environment.

It’s not easy to keep the population of bacteria in the mouth low and your teeth really clean. Meticulous routine twice daily cleaning is necessary. Professional cleanings at least twice a year assist in this task.

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The effort it takes will facilitate your overall health. There is lots of evidence suggesting that one way to live longer is to clean your teeth better.

Ref: (http://www.perio.org/consumer/mediahg1.html)

 

 

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Posted in Cancers, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Immune System, Osteoporosis, Other Diseases, Periodontal Disease, Your Teeth | No Comments »

The Link Between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Diabetes affects about 24 million Americans or about 8% of the population. It is a disease that is characterized by high levels of blood sugar caused by malfunctioning insulin production. An insulin resistant individual becomes diabetic when the pancreas can no longer put out sufficient insulin to lower the blood sugar and the organ becomes exhausted. The pancreas is controlled by hormonal feedback mechanisms.

Acute and chronic infections create hormonal chaos in the body. Periodontal disease is the most widespread infectious disease on the planet, consequently provokes a great deal of chaos.

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The sugars found in the mouth aid in gum disease. The constant introduction and presence of sugar in the mouth (like a sippy cup with juice), feed the bacteria that leads to periodontal disease. Blood vessels in a diabetic are also compromised. They thicken and slow the delivery of oxygen to the extremities. Likewise, they slow the removal of waste from these tissues. All of which lowers the defense to infection, including periodontal infection.

A Dentistry Today publication detailed the link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Those with diabetes have more severe periodontal issues and those with periodontal disease have a more difficult time controlling their diabetes. The link is found in both adults and children. About 50 percent of children have periodontal disease according to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center.

Unfortunately the symptoms of periodontal disease are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. A dentist can diagnose the disease in the early stages, prior to parents realizing their children have it. Thus, it is important that children with diabetes receive regular oral checkups.

A study at the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo found that obesity is significantly related to periodontal disease through the pathway of insulin resistance. Sara Grossi, director of the UB Periodontal Disease Research Center and lead author of the study said, “Now we see a relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and periodontal disease in a large, population-based cohort. This relationship is significant because obesity is an important risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.” (http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20000408_obesity.html)

Today, adults and children with diabetes have a better chance of keeping this disease under control. Besides diet, it also takes diligence and thoroughness in oral health. One of the best ways to do that is by using the Dental Air Force system, which combines tooth brushing and flossing, by cleaning between teeth and around the gums.

 

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The Link Between Obesity and Periodontal Disease in Children

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Obesity and periodontal disease often appear to be tethered to one another. In children, that link requires parents and health care providers to monitor each variable in an effort to maintain the overall health of those they care for.

One explanation is the change in eating and drinking habits of children. More sugared sodas, power drinks and fruit juice substitutes make up our young adults beverages of choice.

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Ironically milk and “healthy”- 100% juices given to children in bottles and sippy cups also contributes to the problem.

The array of snack food available is overwhelming. The low fat variety, although at first glance may appear healthy, actually contains more sugar than the high fat variety. A lot less vitamin C and calcium are ingested per calories by children today. All of these factors add to the total number of empty calories consumed by children.

This change in diet along with less physical activity adds weight to children, particularly those predisposed to obesity. The average number of hours in front of a television set or computer grows each year. One explanation for the link between obesity and periodontal disease is through the pathway of insulin resistance. Those who are obese produce more cytokines, putting the body in the state of constantly fighting infection and producing insulin resistance.

Another, yet proven hypothesis for the link between obesity and periodontal disease is that the bacteria from gum disease may be interfering with fat metabolism. Unfortunately the symptoms of periodontal disease are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced.  A dentist can diagnose the disease in the early stages, prior to parents realizing their children have it.  Thus, it is important that children receive regular six-month oral checkups and cleanings.

Periodontal disease is controlled by a disciplined and meticulous oral cleaning regimen, both at the dental office and at home. Professional treatment may require below the gum line scraping, three-month checkups instead of the traditional six-month, and a prescription oral rinse.

Home treatment requires thorough plaque removal by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Because it is a laborious task to floss, most children (and adults) don’t. Many children are negligent about their tooth brushing and flossing.

As a parent it is important to find a way to enhance the experience, make it an expectation and a part of a twice daily routine. Remember studies now show that oral health is critical to total health.

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Dental Problems Linked To Systemic Diseases

Monday, April 18th, 2011

More and more evidence surfaces each year linking periodontal disease and other systemic diseases that are not in the mouth. In the presence of periodontal disease, the risk is much higher in contracting one or more of the other diseases.

Periodontal infection is the advanced stages of gum disease that causes bone loss. The bone loss is irreversible. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and with early detection, treatment and proper oral hygiene can be reversed. Periodontal infection has been associated with other systemic disorders that would not on the surface appear related.

Periodontal disease is a potential risk factor for:

¨ infective endocarditis (damaged heart valves)

¨ cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis, coronary thrombosis ischemic heart disease, stroke)

¨ diabetes

¨ respiratory problems (COPD)

¨ pancreatic cancer

¨ breast cancer

¨ osteoporosis

¨ lung cancer

¨ children with low birth weights

¨ prostate inflammation

In addition to the link between periodontal infections and systemic disorders, periodontal disease is infectious or communicable and can be passed between family members. On the surface, it is logical that infection in the mouth is able to find its way to other parts of the body.

Initially it was thought that the bacteria in the mouth that cause periodontal disease were directly infecting different sites in the body, like the heart or lungs or artificial implants. This is true. However, there is more to it than that. The body recognizes the bacteria in the mouth as a chronic infection and uses its defense mechanism to fight it. The body calls upon itself to manufacture blood constituents, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells, to physically fight the infection.

This process occurs with all infections. The problem is that as an infection becomes chronic, the body continues to manufacture these blood constituents, and release a pseudo hormone called C-reactive protein. It is this protein that inflames the internal walls of the arteries and compromises blood flow in areas

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that may have a redisposition.

The Research, Science and Therapy Committee of The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) 1998 reviewed numerous studies and found periodontal disease and gingivitis as potential contributing factors for infective endocarditis (damaged heart valves), cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis, coronary thrombosis, ischemic heart disease, stroke), diabetes, respiratory disease, and behavioral  and psychosocial status.

Patients with periodontal disease have a 1.5 – 2.0 times greater risk of incurring a fatal cardiovascular disease. “Importantly, dental infections appear to increase the risk of coronary artery disease to a degree similar to the classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease including age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and elevated serum triglycerides.”

Diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections, which is the likely reason they are more apt to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. In fact, the AAP considers periodontal disease the sixth complication of diabetes and states that controlling this gum disease may help you control your diabetes.

Some 16 million Americans suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. F. Scannapieco, D.M.D., lead researcher of a study published in January 2001 Journal of Periodontology, found that patients with periodontal disease have a 1.5 times greater risk of COPD. (http://www.joponline.org/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2001.72.1.50?prevSearch=allfield%3A%28copd+periodontal+disease%29&searchHistoryKey=)

This means that if you have diabetes, heart disease, potential for strokes, COPD, pancreatic disease, kidney disease you have poor circulation to these sites. The periodontal disease can push this problem into a more severe and even life threatening situation.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/) states, “Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth.” If you are interested in longevity, keep your teeth impeccably clean.

 

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Posted in Cancers, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Low Birth Weights, Osteoporosis, Other Diseases, Periodontal Disease, Prostate Inflammation | No Comments »

Keep Teeth Clean & Live Longer

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

There is one more way to increase the longevity of your life besides the common platitudes to stop smoking, lose weight, eat more fruits and vegetables, and exercise.

An often overlooked and under publicized tip to a healthier body is to keep your teeth clean. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, reports that 80 percent of all adults have some degree of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is linked to or is a potential risk factor for those with damaged heart valves, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and behavioral and psychosocial conditions according to The American Academy of Periodontology, which has been reviewing the data. It is the most pervasive infectious disease on earth.

The cause of this insidious disease stems from the plaque-producing bacteria, found among the almost 500 species of bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease live in the absence of air, like it warm, dark and acidic. They provide the furry feeling on teeth upon awakening. The acidic bio-film forms a sticky, water resistant shield around the tooth, called plaque.

Water alone (swishing or oral irrigating) cannot penetrate this grease barrier to remove plaque. In addition, gums act like a gasket around the tooth, further preventing air or water to reach the “air hating” bacteria along the gum line, making cleaning especially difficult. Restorations, crowns, bridges, orthodontic appliances, wisdom teeth, implants, periodontal disease, or not flossing, will sustain dangerous levels of bacteria even after brushing.

Bacteria (good or bad) reproduce exponentially every hour. This means that if you start off with a bacteria population of 1x (1x being the amount of bacteria in your mouth after a professional cleaning – which you can’t achieve in the home), after one hour you have double the population of bacteria, and after two

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hours you have 4x, then 8x, 16x, etc. Poor cleaning in a few areas will leave heavy concentrations of plaque that can repopulate other areas of the oral cavity.  You may start with a bacteria population of 10,000x and in a few hours bacteria will quickly race out of control.

To reduce the plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth, one must a) break through the sticky shield with an abrasive, b) cleanse the site, c) aerate the site, and d) neutralize the acid.

Normal cleaning methods, like brushing and flossing, have a difficult time accessing the sites between the teeth or can’t break through the sticky film, don’t aerate those sites, and don’t neutralize the acid. The American Dental Society reports that only 5% of the population flosses their teeth. Drawbacks to flossing are possible gum lacerations and the floss can act as a contaminant bringing infection from one tooth to the other. Flossing does not aerate the site nor neutralize the acid.

Tooth brushing is over aggressive on the cheek-side surfaces of teeth causing toothbrush abrasion and ridges along the gum line, resulting in sensitivity to hot and cold, while still not accessing in between the teeth. Tooth brushing also does not aerate the sites to change the environment.

It’s not easy to keep the population of bacteria in the mouth low and your teeth really clean. Meticulous routine twice daily cleaning is necessary. Professional cleanings at least twice a year assist in this task. The effort it takes will facilitate your overall health. There is lots of evidence suggesting that one way to live longer is to clean your teeth better.

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Cancers, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Immune System, Low Birth Weights, Osteoporosis, Other Diseases, Periodontal Disease, Prostate Inflammation | No Comments »

Link Between Diabetes & Periodontal Disease

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections, which is the likely reason they are more apt to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes.

In fact, the AAP (The American Academy of Periodontology) considers periodontal disease the sixth complication of diabetes and states that controlling this gum disease may help you control your diabetes.

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Study on Diabetes & Periodontal Disease

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Just came across this…something I’ve been saying for a long time…glad it got press coverage http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100511192300.htm

Basically, the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry show in

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their studies that treating periodontal disease in type 2 diabetics may lower their blood sugar level. Again, this is evidence that whole health is directly affected by your oral health.

 

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