What does gum disease have to do with diabetes ?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults and is also frequently linked to the control of diabetes. The title sounds kind of odd doesn't it? But the fact remains that if you suffer from diabetes, chances are, your gums too would suffer. Most doctors who treat diabetic patients are either are unaware of the link between diabetes and gums or simply forget to mention it. The result is that problem with the gums are often overlooked or get misdiagnosed and mistreated.

When diabetes is poorly managed, it can lead to periodontal diseases in both children and adults. It has been recorded as affecting children as young as 10. Periodontal disease and diabetes may be classified as those infections which affect the bone holding the teeth in place, and the gums.

Last week one of my clients missed his appointment with me and turned up three days later stating that he had to do a root canal. It struck me as odd because this client was always fastidious about his hygiene so I asked if his dentist had specifically identified any cavity or infection that might have necessitated such a procedure. He said no, but that my client had complained of sensitive teeth and hence the dentist felt a root canal would help. Sounded a bit shaky to me but I thought it best not to argue the issue further especially since the deed was done and nothing I said would either reverse or make my client feel better. Besides, I only had my client's version of events.

Fact is, diabetes specialists have often noted increased incidences of gum infection amongst diabetics. The high blood sugar levels typically found amongst diabetics makes it difficult for their body to ward off bacteria and infection that causes oral diseases.

There are three ways to keep the threat of oral infection at bay – good oral hygiene, keeping your blood sugar levels under control and, by taking antioxidant supplements. Antioxidant supplements such as vitamin "C", bioflavonoids and grape seed extract s help combat bacterial infections in the gums.

I would also recommend inclusion of currants, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries, oranges, grapefruit and tangerines in your diet. These provide antioxidant and bioflavonoids naturally. In fact, if you have enough of these in your daily diet, you need not take antioxidant supplements at all – just make sure you take them in their natural form and not as a juice or jam. Remember these fruits lose their antioxidant the moment they are peeled or crushed or processed.

If you notice your teeth have suddenly become sensitive ask yourself if you also have a cold or nasal infection – the two are interconnected. The moment your cold or nasal infection is cured, your teeth will be back to normal. If a procedure has been specified and you have some doubt about it, you can always seek a second opinion – it's your right. In all cases, maintain your hygiene. It is cheaper to maintain our hygiene than paying for expensive cures.

Diabetes, Hypertension Linked to Mental Decline

Last week, a couple (both are my clients), walked into my clinic and the husband wanted to know if there was any definitive test for ‘mental power' as he put it. On probing a bit deeper he said he felt his mental abilities had declined somewhat but that he wasn't very sure of it. I knew he was suffering from diabetes and more recently also had blood pressure problems.

Hi everyone!

I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. I've written several dozen blogs covering various aspects of diabetes including symptoms, monitoring, explaining glycaemic index, carbohydrate counting, and correlation between body weight, lifestyle and diabetes and so on. This week I shall write about the possible link between diabetes, blood pressure and mental decline.

Over time, all of us undergo changes in our diabetes mental abilities. Up to 50 or so, research seems to indicate that healthy individuals get smarter. Between 50 and 60 our body maintains the status and post 60 years of age, it begins to decline gradually and then more rapidly as we age. In some individuals however, the decline might begin sooner than expected.

When this couple visited me, I decided to dig up all research papers on the subject. Here are my conclusions:

Studies have indicated that high blood pressure when combined with diabetes in middle aged people can trigger a decline in mental function earlier than expected. However, in none of the papers was there any conclusive evidence presented that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and hypertension had anything to do with mental decline. The presence of these two medical complications along with mental decline was assumed to be reason enough to link all three.

The most detailed study was conducted by physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Researchers. They studied close to 11,000 people between the ages 47 and 60 over a six-year period. Tests were taken at the start and end of the six year period and found that people who had high blood pressure and diabetes at the start of the six year period fared worse in the mental tests at the end of the six year period.

While I do not dispute the findings, I personally feel it is too early to jump to conclusions. The mere presence of diabetes and high blood is not conclusive. More similar research will have to be conducted before we can acknowledge the link. However, I do agree that something in bodies of those suffering from diabetes and high blood, seems to point towards a decline in cognitive function. So if you are already a diabetic and also have high blood pressure then you need to ensure you keep both under control because irrespective of whether or not it leads to a decline in cognitive function, untreated diseases will lead to a decline in your happiness and well-being.