Dentistry for Diabetics

Hi, I’m Dr. David Miyasaki of A Downtown Dental Group. Did you know that the Hawaii office of the American Diabetic Association says that nearly 600,000 people in Hawaii are either diabetic or prediabetic? This is over 42 percent of the population of Hawaii. We think that’s way too many people. Are you one of them? We want to fight it. That’s why we made this short video to help and inform you about diabetes and its relationship to dental health; because doing dentistry for diabetics is our passion. Dentistry for diabetics is your path to better health and a better life from A Downtown Dental Group.

Gum disease occurs more than two times as often among people with diabetes. Gum and bone disease substantially worsens risks of heart disease and stroke, already worsened by diabetes. And a higher death rate from diabetic kidney disease was also linked to severe degrees of gum and bone disease. In short, one of the best things you can do to reduce your risks or delay the onset of heart and kidney disease as a diabetic is to get your gum and dental health under control.

The closed loop between dental care and diabetes according to a report from the US Surgeon General. First, the evidence clearly shows that gum and bone disease occurs more than twice as much in people with diabetes than in nondiabetics, and it is much harder for diabetics to control. Second, diabetes can aggravate, worsen, and accelerate gum and bone disease, which in turn makes it more difficult to control blood sugar levels.

The war going on inside your mouth. There are more than 300 different species of bacteria attacking your gums and teeth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People with diabetes are predisposed to bacterial infections, so the dangers to you are much greater than for others.

The deadly progression of untreated gum and bone disease. Gum and bone disease begins as gingivitis, an inflammation of the
gums by bacteria in plaque, a sticky, virtually invisible film that forms on teeth. The bacterial challenge initiates the cascade of events that stimulates your body’s inflammatory response in more susceptible people. Inflammatory mediators produced by the body cause gum tissue and bone breakdown, and we see the clinical science of periodontitis, or gum disease.

Clinical science of silent gum disease. These include gums that bleed easily; red, swollen, or tender gums that pull away from your teeth; persistent bad breath; pus between the teeth and gums; loose or separating teeth; a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite or a change in the fit of partial dentures; increase in pocket depth as measured by the hygienist; X-ray evidence of jawbone loss around the teeth.

Risk factors for gum disease. Heredity: Fifty percent of all cases of gum disease have some genetic component. Did your parents have gum disease, smoking, diabetes, including duration and control stress medications that cause dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, nutrition hormonal variations including pregnancy and menopause, immune-system compromised including neutropenia and HIV, connective tissue disease, and previous history of gum disease?

Gum disease, the sixth long-term complication of diabetes. There are five classical complications of diabetes, which are angiopathy (heart and blood vessel damage), retinopathy (blindness), neuropathy (nerve damage pain) and tingling nephropathy, kidney failure, delayed wound healing, and now periodontal disease.

Gum disease and tooth loss diabetes statistics. Currently, it is estimated that 84 million Americans are prediabetic. In Hawaii, 400,042 adults are prediabetic according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Two out of three people don’t know that they have it. Are you one of these two-thirds?

Hawaii has one of the greatest percentages of diabetics in America. Diabetes and gum disease, these are two silent and chronic diseases. They are two bullies making each other worse. Dental effects include increased gum disease, tooth loss, bad breath, dry mouth, more cavities, and bleeding gums. Diabetes can also interfere with your ability to taste. The good news: you can create a positive upward spiral. Better dental health makes your diabetes better and vice versa. You can have all the care you need and have the smile you have always wanted.

A solution: dentistry for diabetics care system. This includes a clinical exam a visual and clinical evaluation of your mouth of what’s normal and what’s not. A review of medications and your goals a comprehensive exam – this is a non-invasive, pain-free analysis of gums, teeth, bone loss, oral cancer screening, X-rays, and laser cavity detection as needed.

A custom plan. Your diabetic or prediabetic condition is considered with options for treatment to get your optimum plan based on your health needs and finally coordination with your physician. We will collaborate with your physician as needed to ensure an overall whole body approach to your health

What to do next. Get the care and treatment you need so you can have teeth and gums that look good and feel good and last a long time. A great smile and healthy teeth for life is our goal for you. Imagine better blood sugar control, healthy gums, and fresh breath, looking and feeling younger, having the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted, knowing you are slowing the serious life-ruining effects of diabetes.

So call our office for a free exam now. Only three complimentary diabetic exams are available per month. This is a $215 value.

I am Dr. David Miyazaki of A Downtown Dental Group. Thank you for listening.