Shelby Dentist says “Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease and other factors can contribute to heart disease and diabetes”

May 23, 2010 by ·

I asked Helen, a patient of mine in her late 70’s who regularly reads my “Ask The Gentle Dentist” column what she would like to see in my June Ask the Dentist column.  She thought it would be a good idea for me to write an article on the Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease.  This was inspired because a friend of hers was recently diagnosed with adult onset diabetes and Periodontal and Gum Disease.  I posted an article some time ago on the co-relationship between Periodontal and Gum Disease and other systemic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.  Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease all create inflammation in the body and are potential agents that can cause heart disease.

There is accumulating evidence and data that shows that the bacteria that causes Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease gets into the blood system creating chronic inflammation.  This chronic inflammation activates a protein called C-Reactive Protein into the blood eventually creating a higher risk of stroke, heart attacks by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in coronary (heart) and carotid arteries.

Diabetes is a growing problem that now affects over 7% of Americans and is still on the rise.  In fact, in the 1980s there were 5 million people diagnosed and now there are over 23 million. About 30% of diabetics are not even diagnosed. The most common reason why there is such a rapid rise in the incidence is because of the sedentary lifestyle that Americans are living.  Fast foods, high sugar drinks, lack of exercise has created an obese population. In fact the CDC states that over 26% of Americans are obese (120% of normal body weight)!!   Obviously watching diet and exercise can go a long way to a better, healthier body.

What is diabetes?  Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone made naturally in the body.  When carbohydrates are eaten the body rapidly breaks it down to simple sugars which are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream.  Insulin is then released in response to the high levels of blood sugar.  Insulin allows the sugars to penetrate into the cells of the body when it is needed.  Diabetes is therefore the inability of the cells to absorb the blood sugar due to a lack of this insulin

There are three types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 is where the body’s immune system actually destroys the cells that make insulin.  This is genetic in nature and is usually diagnosed at an early age. It is also the most severe form of diabetes.
  • Type 2 is also known as adult onset diabetes.  In this situation the body doesn’t create enough insulin.  90-95% of diabetics are type 2, but this number is rising at an alarming rate.
  • Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy, but after birth the body rebounds back to health.

Diabetics are at risk for blindness, Stroke, amputation of toes and legs, Heart attack, numbness, kidney failure, early death, and Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease. A well controlled diabetic who exercises and eats properly has the same risk of these problems as a healthy individual.  It is therefore important to take medicines along with diet and exercise to live a somewhat normal life.

Periodontal (gum) disease is described as a bacterial infection and inflammation of the bone and soft tissues that hold the teeth into the jaw.  This infection usually is not painful or sometimes not easily seen without a proper diagnosis by your dentist.  The bone around you teeth that is dissolved from the disease will never come back but with proper treatments the bone level can stabilize.

You know you have Periodontal Disease / Gum Diseaseif you have bad breath, your gums bleed when brushing or flossing and/or your teeth are loose and shift around.    Since it is usually not painful (like most chronic diseases) you may have Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease and not even know about it.

Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease is considered to have a bidirectional relationship with diabetes.  In other words diabetes affects the severity and complications of Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease and the periodontal disease affects diabetes and the ability to control blood sugar levels.  The National Diabetic Association states this and research supports this claim.

The bottom line is that if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes you are at risk for Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease.  If you have a difficult time in regulating your blood sugar then a periodontal evaluation is critical so that you not only can save your teeth, but potentially save your life.

Do me a favor and mention this article to your physician so that they can also be informed and team up with dentist’s to combat this serious problem.

For more information on this please visit the American Heart Association www.AmericanHeart.org website.

If you have questions or comments you can email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com or phone us at (586)247-3500

If you have diabetes and desire a free dental consultation please give us a call.  Our dental office is located in Shelby Township, Michigan (Macomb County) at 22 Mile and Hayes.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Antolak, DDS graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality and appropriate cosmetic, sedation and general dentistry in the most comfortable and gentle way possible. Because being a dentist has been a lifelong dream, Dr. Antolak has a passion for the profession. He enjoys helping people feel better about their smiles and therefore their self-image with dental implant and cosmetic dentistry. His Dental Practice is located in Shelby Township, Michigan.  For more information visit The Gentle Dentist.

Filed Under: Dental Hygiene, General Dentistry, Health Implications, Nutrition, Oral Conditions, Periodontal Disease Tagged With: , ,

Sleep apnea-the silent (not so silent) killer

January 15, 2010 by ·

Sleep apnea is a diagnosis that have a direct affect on one’s total health. Between 50-70 million Americans have some form of chronic sleep disorders, including snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but only 15% know about it. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness alone costs $150 billion annually in lost productivity and mishaps from a lack of nightly sleep. Another $48 billion in medical costs related to motor vehicle accidents that involve drowsy drivers. Almost 20% of all serious car crash injuries are associated with driver Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.

Things to look out for in regards to sleep apnea are:

Obesity, neck larger than 17″ for males and 15″ for females, small lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw, and the older you are the higher the risk. The tissues in the pharynx area of the throat get loose and excessive so it leads to airway closure during sleep.

This problem with the stoppage of breathing occurs when the throat area closes down when excessive tissues encroaches upon the airway space. If the breathing is stopped for more than 10 seconds period of time it is called an episode. Sleep apnea is quantified:

  • Mild-5-15 episodes per hour
  • Moderate:16-30
  • Severe: greater than 30 per hour.

The more episodes one has correlates to more severe problems. You can often hear one who is snoring heavily and then will gasp and find it is silent. They will then make a big gasp to try to catch their breath.

Every time they gasp this wakes them up from a deeper level of sleep. Without the deep levels of sleep the body can’t get refreshed therefore sleep deprivation takes place. It is as if someone wakes you up every other minute!

The body has to arouse itself by using epinephrine which then speeds up the heart, places pressure on the lungs and completely stresses the body. These stresses affect the systemic organs of the body leading to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The gold standard is to use a cPAP positive pressure mask which blows air down the trachea to force air into the lungs. Many people are not compliant with this device and desire something more comfortable. This is where we come in. It is possible to us an oral appliance called an orthotic to move the lower jaw forward. This opens up the airway to allow more passive non restricted air flow into the lungs. Many people can’t get used to a mask on their face and choose to be more comfortable with this type of device.

If you do wear a cPaP and aren’t happy with it give us a call to discuss the options. Our phone number is (586)247-3500.

Dr. Antolak Performs dentistry in a very comfortable atmosphere where you are treated like family. The Gentle Dentist is located in Shelby Township, Michigan and provides dental services to patients in Macomb County and Oakland County, Michigan

Filed Under: General Dentistry, Headache treatment, Oral Conditions, Sleeping Disorders Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Overeating during the Holidays? What to do about it.

December 14, 2008 by ·

So the holidays are upon us and if you are like me the access to rich and high caloric foods are plenty.  The trick is to limit food intake and closely monitor the quantities eaten.  I want to give suggestions to help so that the New Years Resolutions will not seem to be so monumental.  Obesity is a growing concern in the United States. Half of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese. Factors contributing to weight gain include increased stress, hunger, reduced activity, and smoking habits.  The problem is that the mean weight of adults increases significantly during the holiday period. . Thats why its important to maintain a balanced weight, because even a very small imbalance can greatly affect weight gain.  Many health issues develop from over eating such as

  • Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems.

The following are some suggestions on how to reduce the temptations of holiday eating:

  • Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a major source of calories, plus it leads to the munchies.
  • Limit soda and other sweetened beverages. These are loaded with sugar and citric acid and add extra calories.
  • Schedule holiday food celebrations at normal meal times. Celebrations outside the normal eating hour can unbalance natural hunger and alter eating habits.
  • Use smaller plates. Larger plates hold more food and increase the likelihood of overeating.
  • Eat a healthy snack or drink a full glass of water before a holiday party. Your hunger will be satisfied and youll be less likely to overeat.
  • Brush your teeth when youre finished eating. Besides practicing good oral hygiene, youre less likely to munch throughout the remainder of the day

Remember that making intelligent decisions about your diet now will give you a better chance of success in 2009.

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  His motto is to relax while we take care of your smile. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb County, Michigan.

Give us a call at (586)247-3500 or email DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com for more information.

Filed Under: Nutrition, Oral Conditions, Periodontal Disease Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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