Question:
Periodontal Disease ?
Answer:
Periodontal Disease Linked to Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&s...
"Brushing and flossing could do more than just maintain
healthy teeth and gums; they also could help prevent
cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with diabetes.
Inflammatory processes may be the key to an emerging link
between periodontal disease and an increased risk of
mortality among people with type 2 diabetes, recent research
suggests.
"The teeth may be a window into the heart," says
investigator Robert G. Nelson, MD, PhD, of the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in
Phoenix, Ariz. "It isn't that rotten teeth are causing the
heart to fail; they're just reflecting different elements of
the same inflammatory process."
A prospective longitudinal study of 626 people reported in
Diabetes Care shows that the risk of mortality from ischemic
heart disease and diabetic nephropathy among those with
severe periodontal disease is more than three times that of
their counterparts with normal oral health.1
Well, that's just scarey as hell to me! Not that I have oral
problems, but . . .
What can you tell me about inflammatory disease Alan? My
nutritionist just touched on it a little. Said there's lots of
new reseach
going on. There's apparently a test, C Reactive Test, that I
may want to get. Has anyone had it? Did the results impact
your treatment?
I can say a little about perio but I
don't pretend to know much about inflammation - except to
avoid it where possible. We do have some people here who do
have knowledge there, hopefully they will answer.
I can tell you this, I'm a type two who let my BGs go crazy. I was
experiencing some discomfort and swelling in my right jaw. I thought
it was a bad tooth. The dentist took xrays and said my teeth were fine
but my gums were diseased due to lack of flossing and possibly high
BGs.
Resulted in what was called a deep cleaning which involves 4
treatments. You must be numbed[unless you're crazy] and they dig below
your gum line to clean out the infection. Quite expensive....bout
$700.00.
Uncontrolled BGs are a major cause of gum problems and
inflamation. Even with regular brushing and flossing I could
not overcome gum problems even after gum surgery. Gaining
control of my BGs made the gum problems a non-issue.
yes., I've had a C-Reactive Protein test done. They did it
to check for RA. -- It basically shows inflamation in the body
in general. Which for me is kinda scewed... Since I have
inflamation due to an old injury which is why mine was high,
think it was like 13.. range was 1 - 5.. But I'm dealing with
it on a different level then a T2 mostly would
I was first diagnosed with periodontal disease just before I
left the RAAF 21 years ago. I had the same cleaning routine,
every three months for a year, with the service paying. I
didn't continue after that, because everything seemed good.
Over the next ten years, I had some minor dental work, but
no serious problems.
Then, quite suddenly, I got a major infection and abscess
and was told that I needed treatment by the periodontist
again. That was the first time I was told that it was an
incurable disease, and that I should have been getting
regular periodontal cleaning treatment ever since the first
diagnosis.
Over the next five years, under the best periodontist in
Melbourne, I managed to retain most of my teeth (lost four)
and had several flare-ups. One of those I ignored for a few
days because I was travelling; that one nearly killed me
when it got out of control and I was treated just in time. I
now carry Amoxycillin when I travel, just in case.
Now for the good news. At the time I was diagnosed with
diabetes I was seeing the periodontist every three months.
He commented that I had improved significantly after a year
of no smoking. But the improvement a year later when I had
reduced my A1c and gained some control over my BGs was
dramatic - and continuing.
I now only attend every four months, and on two of those
appointments I see the much cheaper dental hygienist because
I've improved too much to justify the periodontist's time.
I'd suggest that you have a chat to the specialist who
treated you about how regularly you may need re-treatment;
hopefully, what you had is not what I have. But I suspect
that it may be.
