Diabetes & teeth
Sugar diabetes (diabetes mellitus; from Greek: διαβαινω, which is often called only diabetes, is a disease characterized by increased levels of blood sugar (glucose) in the body due to decreased cell response to insulin (glucose) or to its reduced synthesis and secretion. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which stimulates the cells to absorb glucose and transform it into energy necessary for their proper functioning. When cells do not absorb enough glucose it accumulates in the blood (hyperglycemia) which leads to complications for the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, etc. Sugar diabetes has many varieties but three of them are most common:
All forms of diabetes could be kept under control by additional introduction of insulin in the body. Without proper medical treatment diabetes could cause numerous complications including hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma. Long lasting and severe complications related to diabetes include cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and diabetic retinopathy. The oral cavity does not remain unaffected. Diabetes damages heavily the oral mucosa, periodontium and teeth (massive tooth decay) which leads to premature tooth loss. It often happens that local problems with teeth, mucosa or periodontium lead help for the early diagnosis of diabetes. In 2000 at least 171 million people worldwide (2.8% of the world population) have been diagnosed with diabetes. The 4th edition of the World Diabetes Atlas from 2010 shows that there are 519 000 people in Bulgaria suffering from diabetes. People with diabetes could be classified as “difficult” patients. On one hand, their oral health is in very poor condition and on the other hand, they are usually very prone to infections and bleeding. Last but not least comes the financial situation. These patients are rarely welcome at dental offices. Moreover, very few dental practitioners are qualified enough to treat patients with diabetes.
For more information contact pfhristov@yahoo.com
- Sugar diabetes type 1: it is caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin
- Sugar diabetes type 2: it is caused by the inability of body cells to respond to insulin sometimes combined with lower levels of insulin production
- Gestational diabetes: it occurs during pregnancy
All forms of diabetes could be kept under control by additional introduction of insulin in the body. Without proper medical treatment diabetes could cause numerous complications including hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma. Long lasting and severe complications related to diabetes include cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and diabetic retinopathy. The oral cavity does not remain unaffected. Diabetes damages heavily the oral mucosa, periodontium and teeth (massive tooth decay) which leads to premature tooth loss. It often happens that local problems with teeth, mucosa or periodontium lead help for the early diagnosis of diabetes. In 2000 at least 171 million people worldwide (2.8% of the world population) have been diagnosed with diabetes. The 4th edition of the World Diabetes Atlas from 2010 shows that there are 519 000 people in Bulgaria suffering from diabetes. People with diabetes could be classified as “difficult” patients. On one hand, their oral health is in very poor condition and on the other hand, they are usually very prone to infections and bleeding. Last but not least comes the financial situation. These patients are rarely welcome at dental offices. Moreover, very few dental practitioners are qualified enough to treat patients with diabetes.
For more information contact pfhristov@yahoo.com