Because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place.

Periodontal disease is often linked to the control of diabetes. For example, patients with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than persons who have good control of their diabetes. It is possible to have periodontal disease and not have all of the warning signs. If you notice any of the warning signs of gum disease, see your dentist immediately.

Because of lowered resistance and a longer healing process, periodontal diseases often appear to be more frequent and more severe among persons with diabetes. That’s why good maintenance of blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet that meets your needs, good oral care at home, regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are important.

“Pediatric dentistry is incredibly important since habits children learn are most likely carried on for the rest of their lives,” said Dr. Robert Lerman, D.M.D., Southern Connecticut Dental Group. “That is why we see the importance of educating parents so that they can be informed and help their children form the best possible dental habits.  A healthy smile is important, and with proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, your child’s teeth can be healthy and strong.”

• A toddler should never be left in the crib or for an extended period of time with any liquid other than water.  Milk or juice can cause bacteria and decay; baby bottle tooth decay, or early childhood caries.
• Run a clean damp washcloth after you feed your baby to prevent bacteria growth.
• Take your child to a pediatric dentist by the child’s first birthday or when the first teeth arrive, whichever comes first.
• As soon as your child’s first teeth appear, brush teeth with a little bit of water. After children have reached the age of 2, start introducing fluoride toothpaste in pea-sized amounts.
• Take care of your own oral health. Research shows that the bacteria that cause decay can be passed from caregivers to infants and young children. Rinsing with anti-bacterial mouthwashes has been shown to significantly reduce the number of cavity-causing bacteria.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD

Poor Oral Hygiene

Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene habits such as flossing and brushing.

If you don’t take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall oral health can suffer. If you already have gum disease, skipping daily hygiene may worsen the problem. If your mouth is in relatively good health, falling down on brushing and flossing can lead to gum disease or increase your risk of cavities.

When under stress, you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. These habits increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems.

Just reminding yourself of the importance of hygiene and healthy eating may help. Boosting or resuming your exercise routine can help you relieve stress and feel energized enough to tend to your oral hygiene and cook healthier meals. Exercise will also boost your immune system — and that, too, is good for your oral health.
Gum Disease

Stress can cause an increase in dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short term. That’s according to a study that evaluated people who cared for loved ones with dementia and who experienced stress.

Long-term, the stress these caregivers felt boosted their risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, which can progress to serious gum disease.

Stress can lead to depression. And depressed patients, according to recent research, have twice the risk of an unfavorable outcome from gum disease treatment compared to those who aren’t depressed.

You can’t make depression or the stress disappear, of course. But experts say that learning healthy coping strategies can help reduce the risk of gum problems getting worse. Healthy coping is “problem-focused” with active and practical strategies to deal with the stress and depression, experts say.

Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help reduce your risks of periodontal disease. Make sure you brush twice a day and floss daily.

Getting your teeth cleaned may give you more than a sparkling white smile — it may give you something to smile about, like your health.

In a large study, people who had their teeth professionally scaled at least once every two years were 24% less likely to have a heart attack, compared with those who skipped the hygienist. Scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth.

And their risk of stroke dropped by 13%, says study researcher Zu-Yin Chen, MD, a cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

“Something as simple as having good dental hygiene — brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings — may be good for your heart and brain health,” says Ralph Sacco, MD, head of neurology at the University of Miami. Sacco, the immediate past president of the American Heart Association (AHA), was not involved with the work.

Although the link between dental health and heart and stroke risk is not entirely clear, inflammation is a common problem in gum disease and heart disease, Sacco tells WebMD.

A number of studies have linked chronic inflammation to hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke, he says.

Cleaning your teeth gets rid of bacteria in the mouth that can lead to chronic infection and inflammation, which can then spread to other parts of the body, Chen says.

The study was presented here at the American Heart Association annual meeting.

Benefits of Frequent Teeth Cleaning

Chen and colleagues reviewed the records of more than 100,000 people in Taiwan’s national health insurance database. About half had received at least one cleaning; the other half had never had a cleaning.

Their average age was 38 years. None had suffered a heart attack or stroke when the study began. They were followed for an average of seven years.

Results showed that people who had more than one cleaning a year had the lowest risk of heart attack and stroke, Chen tells WebMD.

Because the researchers didn’t have information on heart attack and stroke risk factors such as weight, smoking, and race — which could have affected the results — it could be that people with good dental hygiene are more likely to eat right and have other heart-healthy habits, Sacco says.

The cost of dentistry is what keeps more than half of consumers away from the dentist for years at a time, according to a survey by the American Dental Association. Most dental costs are easy to anticipate, though, except for emergencies, such as breaking a tooth. Less obvious dental needs often can be predicted by regular, routine checkups that include diagnostic x-rays to assess the overall condition of the teeth, gums and jaw.

Other needs to consider are whether you or a family member may require specialty care, such as braces or other orthodontia, dentures or tooth implants or crowns or bridges. These generally are not covered as extensively as routine care, such as exams and fillings.

Need Help?  Use our Genie Below to help you decide which plans are best for you!

Our “Dentist of the Month” will be answering questions straight from our Members. This month, Dr. Michael L. Curtis from Bridgeport, Connecticut has provided really helpful answers to some dental health questions. His office accepts over 15 discount dental plans and specializes in family, cosmetic and sedation dentistry.

Do Electric Toothbrushes Make A Difference?

Yes. Many people with arthritis, coordination disorders or other issues may find traditional tooth-brushing difficult. Studies show that patients using electric toothbrushes brush longer and remove more plaque on average. We also recommend a water jet to get in-between teeth under the gum and around crowns or bridges more thoroughly.

How Often Should I Have My Teeth Cleaned?

The time between cleanings can vary depending on your medical history, and dental or periodontal status. People with gingivitis and periodontal disease may need their teeth cleaned every 3 to 4 months. For healthy individuals, a cleaning once every 6 months is usually okay.

How Often Should I Brush, Floss & Rinse?

Most patients should cleanse their mouths before bedtime, so bacteria do not fester all night long while sleeping. Good oral hygiene upon wakening will help remove germs that buildup over night. A fluoride or antibacterial rinse can be helpful as well.

How Do You Foster A Dentist/Patient Relationship?

For every patient, we ask the question “If this were me or a member of my family, how would I like to be treated?” We truly value the quality of care we offer each patient-always delivered with the gentle touch, a friendly smile and a helping hand. You will never be rushed and we are never too busy to answer all your questions.

Why Do You Accept Discount Dental Plans?

Many wonderful patients have difficulty affording the highest quality of care. In this case, we are happy to reduce our fees just a bit so you can enjoy the finest treatment available. It’s our way of saying thank you after 30 wonderful years of serving thousands of families in our area.

Dr. Curtis graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he received several awards. He then completed 2 years of residency training at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and Montifiore Hospital in New York. He is a member of the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association and several other dental organizations. Dr Curtis has written 4 books on Dentistry and has served as an instructor at both the University of Connecticut and New York University Schools of Dentistry.

There are different types of orthodontic appliances; and, each one of them has pros and cons. I will focus on five of them here:

Self-Ligating Braces: These look just like normal braces. However, normal braces have ligatures that are used to hold the wire in place, while self-ligating braces are designed with built-in clips to make the wire.

Pros:

• They are very easy to clean, as there are no obstructions. This is because there are no ligatures, which are good at trapping food particles.
• Since there are no additions to the braces, they feel a lot more comfortable than other braces.
• There are less dentist appointments. This is because of the absence of ligatures, which require them to be adjusted often. This aspect ensures that the braces last longer than other braces.

Cons:

• They take time to completely suit your mouth, hence many adjustments during this period.
• They are not completely invisible.

Lingual Braces: These have metal brackets and wires designed to be fitted behind the teeth. They are ideal for people with moderate to overcrowding teeth, or for those with spaces between the teeth.

Pros:

• You can go on with your life without anyone ever noticing that you have braces, since they are fitted behind the teeth. They are only visible when you open your mouth too wide.

Cons:

• They are more expensive than other braces, as they are difficult to fit.
• Cleaning them can also be more difficult than cleaning other braces.

Metal Braces: These are the standard braces. They consist of steel wire and plastic ligatures. There are metal brackets that are used to clip the braces to the teeth.

Pros:

• These braces can be beautified with different colors to make them look more appealing.
• Though they are not cheap, they are the least expensive type of braces.

Cons:

• Metal braces can make it more difficult to floss and brush.

Invisalign: These are teeth trays made of clear, molded plastic. They are meant for both upper and lower teeth. These are fitted according to the tooth straightening stage you are in.

Pros:

• They are almost invisible when in use.

Cons:

• They are only ideal for people with minor straightening needs.

Ceramic / Tooth Colored Braces: Brackets are fitted on the teeth. They are usually tooth-colored.

Pros:

• They blend in well with the teeth.

Cons:

• The ligatured are made of latex, which stains. This makes them noticeable.

This article and the information within it was compiled by Jem. He often writes on issues related to gum disease, dentistry/orthodontics, nutrition and other oral hygiene/health topics. You can follow Jem on twitter @writerjem to learn more about topics he covers. 

Dental work can be very expensive–and unfortunately, many procedures are not covered by your medical insurance. It is very important to understand that prevention is the key to help save and reduce the costs incurred from dental work. This article will help give you tips on how to save money on dental health.

Maintain the health of your teeth and your mouth, since poor dental hygiene will increase the risk of getting ill and predisposes you to many other medical conditions. Brushing, cleaning and flossing several times a day will help keep your pearly whites and your mouth in optimum condition. This will reduce the number of dental visits and reduce the cost of dental work in the long run.

Refer family, friends or colleagues. Some dental offices offer reduced prices or free cleanings to those who refer patients to them.

Better yet, Choose from more than 86,000* available dental practices locations nationwide, through one of the country’s largest dental discount networks – the Aetna Dental Access® Network.  Click the Aetna logo above to start saving thousands on your dental needs for only $9/month.

A lack of dental insurance is no excuse not to take care of your teeth. If you haven’t visited the dentist in a while due to a lack of coverage, know that delaying your inevitable reconciliation with the mouth gods will only give you more severe problems to deal with once you finally go back.

Did you know that you can call up dental care offices and ask what their rates are for uninsured patients. You may find that the billing office is willing to correlate charges to your income.

Dentistry is a fiercely competitive industry, so you may find some offices are offering online discounts to troll for new customers.  Another option is to hit up a dental school for free or low-cost care from dentists in training.

If you’re single, take good care of your teeth and usually only go to the dentist for routine cleanings twice a year, you may be better off ditching insurance premiums and just paying for the cleanings out of pocket.

The most common oral health problems associated with diabetes are:

• tooth decay;
• periodontal (gum) disease;
• salivary gland dysfunction;
• fungal infections;
• lichen planus and lichenoid reactions (inflammatory skin disease);
• infection and delayed healing;
• taste impairment.