Dental Care Options For Patients With Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or effectively use it. It manifests itself as hyperglycemia, or high levels of blood sugar. As Type 2 diabetes often as a subtle onset, the condition is mostly discovered by way of ancillary check-ups. India has the second largest number of adults and children with diabetes in the world. With 77 million adults living with diabetes in India, one in six adults with diabetes in the world is from India. This makes the discovery and treatment of this condition even more imperative. Oral healthcare today, plays a pivotal role in the identification of diabetes. There is a need for awareness between physicians of the reciprocal implications of oral health on diabetes.
Implications of oral health care for patients with diabetes
As diabetes remains mostly undiagnosed owing to the silent nature of the condition, it is important to know that the onset of symptoms is varied as diabetes is generally seen to manifest predominantly in the second and third decades of life. In people with diabetes, the implications of increased blood glucose levels can cause reduced production of saliva, leading to dry sensation in the mouth, and allowing for a build-up of plaque, leading to the deterioration of tooth-supporting apparatus.
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease triggered by bacteria, leading to the destruction of this tooth supporting apparatus. It is accompanied with bleeding gums, bad breath, and eventual tooth loss. As a result, impairment of chewing capacity directly affects nutrition, which is a concern for people with diabetes trying to maintain their blood glucose levels. Periodontal inflammation has now also been seen to be adversely affecting the glycemic status and promoting complications of diabetes in patients. Conversely, periodontal therapy is now seen to be an important factor in improving the metabolic and glycemic control of the patient.
Methodology for screening and interprofessional collaboration
We now know that diabetes and periodontitis are linked comorbidities that have common pathways of origin towards their pathology. It is also suggested by current scientific evidence that this bidirectional relationship between the two can help in controlling the spread of either, with concurrent care. The increasing incidence of diabetes can be checked by having screening points in dental clinics, where trained personnel can use a glucose meter to check sugar levels for dental patients. This simple test can prove to be vital in discovering undiagnosed diabetes and immediately instructing the patient to seek specialized opinions and employ medical intervention at the earliest to achieve glycemic control. Potential complications, such as mouth sores or dryness should be observed and screened for diabetes with a rigorous monitoring regimen for adolescents and adults alike. Dental patients should be educated about chronic oral diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis, which can further extenuate complications of diabetes in patients.
Thorough oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth twice a day is vital not just to avoid dental problems, but to reduce further complications for patients with diabetes. Interprofessional collaborations are therefore needed between dentists, periodontists, physicians, and diabetologists to make sure that an optimum care plan is chalked out for patients. Customization of oral health management is needed between physicians on an individual basis including factors such as alteration in the medication and dosage for optimal results in treatment.
Conclusion
Chronic oral issues and diabetes are silent conditions that can be controlled by screening at multiple points and collaborative efforts from physicians, and since both the conditions have reciprocal effects on each other. Good oral health with the use of special care products is pivotal in elevating the quality of life in people with diabetes.
