Is Dental Bone Loss Greater with Diabetes?

Diabetes has a major effect in the United States, but the effect it has in other countries is increasing. According to WHO, World Health Organization, diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% without urgent action. WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system, so any county that is a Member of the United Nations can be a Member of WHO by accepting its constitution.

Reducing diabetes mellitus or at least keeping it under control is important for your mouth, as it is for your overall health.

Bone loss resulting from periodontal disease is greater for people who have diabetes than people without diabetes, according to NCBI, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Joslin Diabetes Center has some precautions and necessary procedures for people with diabetes. At an initial visit, at Joslin, and any annual visits, Joslin healthcare providers will discuss the need for dental exams at least every six months. If evidence of gingivitis exists, the patient may need a dental evaluation or treatment every 3-4 months. If oral symptoms such as sore, swollen, or bleeding gums, loose teeth or persistent mouth ulcers occur, the Center will refer the patient to a dental specialist.

Large and small blood vessels are forced to harden and become narrower from the nicotine in cigarette smoke, resulting in reduced blood flow to the rest of your body. Health problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, foot problems, and many others are health problems diabetes sufferes have, smoking makes those risks much greater. Smoking and tobacoo chewing also stain the teeth and can cause lesions to the soft tissue of the mouth.

The ADA, American Dental Association, points out that diabetic individuals are at least two to three times more likely to develop periodontal disease than non-diabetics. All of these are reasons that a global initiative is required to address the diabetes epidemic. The global initiative should go as far as informing people how they can prevent this terrible disease. Prevention should encourage people to:

• Achieve and maintain healthy body weight.
• Be physically active - at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control.
• Tobacco cessation is also important to avoid complications.

RECOMMENDED READING

Diabetes and periodontitis.: An article from: The Dental Assistant
 
Dental and periodontal conditions in diabetes mellitus: A clinical and radiographic study (Finnish Dental Society. Proceedings)

Periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes.(Linking Research to Clinical Practice)(Clinical report): An article from: Journal of Dental Hygiene

Diabetes, periodontal disease : a guide for patients (SuDoc HE 20.3408:D 54)