Oral Manifestations of Diabetes Betsy Hardin, RDH, MS NC Oral Health Section February 3, 2012
Dec 16, 2015
A sad story…..
Early 2007, 12 year old Maryland resident, Deamontes Driver died from a tooth infection
The infection went to his brain Two brain surgeries were unsuccessful An extraction would have cost only $80
The 6 Complications of Diabetes
Retinopathy
Nephropathy
Neuropathy
Cardiovascular Disease
Stroke
Periodontal Disease
Could Dentists Aid in Diagnosing Diabetes?
screen for risk factors – i.e. overweight; high risk ethnic group, high
cholesterol, high BP, family member with diabetes, given birth to a 9 lb. baby or having had gestational diabetes
Use blood from infected gum area for a glucometer test strip
Number of missing teeth and percentage of deep pockets in the gums
Periodontal Risk Factors Poor oral hygiene Inflammation Long history of diabetes Other diabetic complications Poorly controlled diabetes Parents Pregnancy Obesity Ethnicity Stress Age
The Importance of Good BS Control Prevent oral fungal infections Prevent ongoing inflammation in the mouth Prevent further destruction of bone Prevent congenital dental defects in infants
Poor Oral Hygiene
Leads to the formation of plaque which is the same plaque that has been found inside the walls of blocked arteries.
Prevalence of Periodontal Disease
50% of ALL adults develop periodontal disease. 70% of the people who have diabetes will
develop periodontal disease. 10% of adults have lost ALL their teeth, 25% of
adults over 65 have lost their teeth. One-third of people who have diabetes will have
SEVERE periodontal disease.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Red, sore, swollen gums Teeth that s e p a r a t e Persistent BAD breath Loose or sensitive teeth Yellow/white biofilm between teeth Pus around the gums Ill fitting dentures Gums pulling away from the teeth
The Importance of Vitamin D
Low serum levels of Vitamin D may result in insulin resistance
Insufficient Vitamin D leads to osteopenia and/or osteoporosis
A lack of Vitamin D can lead to Periodontal Disease and tooth loss
Diabetes patients should have a blood test to check Vitamin D levels
Prevalence of Periodontal Disease
Young adults who have an A1c above 9 are 3x more likely to develop periodontal disease than someone without diabetes
Smokers who have poorly controlled diabetes are 4.6x more likely to develop periodontal disease
Periodontitis
Chronic inflammation of the periodontal ligament, which surrounds the root of the tooth, may lead to anemia in people with diabetes. Non-surgical periodontal treatment can help improve the anemia.
Periodontal Disease Prevention
Thoroughly clean the mouth 2/day w/brush and floss
Visit the dentist at least 2/yr or as often as recommended by your dentist
People with diabetes should take their glucose meter with them to the DDS
Eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables
Quit smoking
Control stress
Dental Appointments
“Patients with diabetes should see their dentist every 3 months because their bodies cannot manage the challenge of the bacterial onslaught of periodontal disease as well as someone who is healthy. With the economy being so bad, everybody’s worried about if they can postpone that dental appointment or that dental hygiene appointment, or if they have the resources to get the kind of care they need.” Maria Emanuel Ryan, DDS, PhD.
Treating Gum Disease Lowers Medical Costs A report from the University of Michigan
suggests that patients who have diabetes and who receive one or two periodontal procedures per year experience a 10 – 12% drop in their medical costs annually.
Patients who don’t receive routine dental care and require immediate treatment for periodontitis, cost insurance companies more than $2,484/year.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dec. 2008
REMEMBER……..
90% of Dental Care is Self-Care
What is the single most important thing a person with diabetes can do to PREVENT periodontal disease and other oral problems?
ANSWER
Maintain blood sugar as near normal as possible
What is NORMAL? For children under age 6 (100 - 180) For children 6 – 12 (90 - 180) For teens 13-19 (90 - 130) For adults (70 - 130) For senior adults slightly higher
No ONE Answer
Good oral health is a combination of many things Good oral hygiene Regular dental visits Good diet Good overall health Most of all GOOD Blood Sugar Control
A1c <7.0
A RARE Opportunity
Diabetes educators need to become RARE health care professionals, Recognize periodontal disease as a chronic
inflammatory disease with systemic ramifications
Assume your patient with diabetes is at risk for periodontal disease
Refer for periodontal screening Educate your patients on the importance of
oral health and regular dental visits to improve patients’ health and well-being
Something to Think About
“There is a heavy burden on health-care professionals today regarding the recognition, treatment, and proactive management of a disease that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide.” As medical and dental professionals, let’s work together to help control this epidemic; our patients are depending on us!
RDH Magazine for Dental Hygiene Professionals, November, 2011