According to an article on diabetes and dentistry, you may not know it, but your mouth can tell doctors if your body is unhealthy. Dentists are often the first to see if you're at an elevated risk of type two diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
Dr. Ruth Cauthen of Ghent Family Dentistry helped 61-year-old Ronald Branch with his health and his job. He was struggling with controlling his blood sugar for two years, and his primary care physician was about to put him on insulin. Doctor Cauthen knew she could help.
Dr. Ruth Cauthen of Ghent Family Dentistry helped 61-year-old Ronald Branch with his health and his job. He was struggling with controlling his blood sugar for two years, and his primary care physician was about to put him on insulin. Doctor Cauthen knew she could help.
She diagnosed him with periodontal disease, a serious bacteria infection of the mouth. Combined with his type two diabetes, it was life threatening, and could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Dr. Cauthen pulled 14 of Ronald's teeth and got the periodontal disease under control. An infection can wreak havoc on diabetics. Once the infection was gone, Ronald's blood sugar improved.
Dr. Sheila Garris is hoping for more success stories like this. She recently attended a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona with diabetes experts and dentists. They're leading the way for dentists and doctors to work closer together helping diagnose periodontal disease and diabetes. Dr. Garris said, "Dentists may be the first people to identify diabetes by identifying periodontal disease and primary care may be the first ones to recognize periodontal disease, and they're going to need the help of the dentists to help control the diabetes."
Dr. Cauthen pulled 14 of Ronald's teeth and got the periodontal disease under control. An infection can wreak havoc on diabetics. Once the infection was gone, Ronald's blood sugar improved.
Dr. Sheila Garris is hoping for more success stories like this. She recently attended a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona with diabetes experts and dentists. They're leading the way for dentists and doctors to work closer together helping diagnose periodontal disease and diabetes. Dr. Garris said, "Dentists may be the first people to identify diabetes by identifying periodontal disease and primary care may be the first ones to recognize periodontal disease, and they're going to need the help of the dentists to help control the diabetes."
Dr. Garris says periodental disease doesn't mean you always have diabetes but it is an indicator along with family history and obesity. If you have been diagnosed periodontal disease, you should also set up an appointment with your primary care physician to go over any other possible health problems.
2 comments:
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I think your website is very needed. We are in a war against diabetes. I have a site at "http://diabetesresourcespot.com." I am also presenting information about the epidemic of diabetes in America and the world. Like your site.
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