What’s happening in your body directly affect your mouth, just like what you put in your mouth affects your body. New studies have linked problems like heart disease and diabetes to dental problems.
Our Honolulu dental practice is trained to prevent dental problems and provide special treatments for patients with diabetes and even heart problems. It’s important to understand this oral systemic health connection and to act quickly if you’re struggling with dental issues.
A Downtown Dental Group is even offering a special treatment and information kit for diabetics. If you have diabetes or need a little dental work, give us a call today at 808-797-3680. Let’s look at few way we can improve your smile, even if you have overall health problems.
Connection Between Gum Disease, Diabetes
There are millions of Americans living with diabetes. It’s one of the most prevalent problems in the country, and it affects your ability to process sugar. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 150,000 people in Hawaii struggle with diabetes. That amounts to about 13 percent of the adult population, and it’s estimated that about 50,000 people in the state have diabetes and don’t even know it!
Problems like gum disease, which will affect more than half of all adults in the county and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and diabetes both occur from inflammation. Research has found that gum disease affects about 22 percent of all people with diabetes. And, serious forms of gum disease can actually cause rising in blood sugar, which makes it harder to control. Here are signs of gum disease:
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Sensitive teeth or sensitivity to hot and cold
- Loose teeth
- Persistent dry mouth
It’s estimated that about 50 percent of people 30 and older will have some form of gum disease. And that number rises to about 70 percent for seniors 65 and older. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. That is curable, but the most severe form of gum disease, periodontitis, is not curable. You can manage this problem.
Fair warning: If you leave this problem untreated, it can cause the teeth and gums to separate and even erode the underlying bone. We recommend that people with serious gum disease visit the dentist every three to four months for regular cleanings and dental exams. It’s important to manage your gum disease problems and try to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
Treat Your Gum Disease Without Scalpels
The traditional way to treat gum disease is to actually remove the infection. This requires the use of scalpels and stitches. Of course, no patients likes to imagine oral surgery. While this treatment is often effective, it can be painful and even lead to postoperative recovery.
Our office is using state-of-the-art laser therapy to help patients resolve their issues with gum disease. The laser is virtually painfree, and the patients won’t have to worry about having stitches or scalpels in their mouth. The laser actually evaporates the infection in the mouth, and we don’t need to use stitches, as the gums and teeth naturally re-attach.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Our office is skilled on helping patients of all dental backgrounds, and we have special training in helping our diabetic patients keep their mouths healthy. If you’re a diabetic, you’re at a higher risk of gum disease and could possibly lose your teeth. Our office wants you and your family to have a healthy and great-looking mouth.
Drs. Miyasaki are trained to treat a number of issues and would love to sit with you and discuss your smile goals. Give our office a call today at 808-797-3680