All patients visiting our clinic are required to complete the Patient Screening Form before their visit.
Diabetes has been and will continue to be a growing concern in Canada. It is estimated that approximately 11 millions Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes and these numbers are expected to rise to 13 million in the next couple of years and that approximately 1.5 million Canadians are living with undiagnosed diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms (from the Diabetes Canada website) include
You may wonder why your dental professional is interested in knowing that you have this condition. Simply put, the relationship between what exists in your mouth and in your body are connected. As in the eyes are the mirror to the soul, the mouth is the reflection of your health and vice versa. Where this affects patients who have diabetes is in the importance of minimizing inflammation. The body doesn’t recognize that gingivitis (gingival/gum inflammation) is inflammation in the mouth. What it does recognize is that there is a presence of inflammation in the body. When gum disease is present in the mouth and is not controlled, the body recognizes this as a chronic inflammatory state. This can be detrimental and can contribute to uncontrolled diabetes.
So how can your dental professional help you? Informing your dental professional that you have diabetes or suspect you may have diabetes or have family history of diabetes will help us determine what course of action to take to ensure your risk is minimized. If needed we will collaborate with other professionals working with you towards improving your diabetes status.
Creating a plan to reduce inflammation in the mouth can be done by
Being a dental professional is all about improving your oral health and doing what we can to ensure overall health. In order to do so it is important for us to look at all aspects of your health and lifestyle.
Together, we can improve your overall health and your quality of life!
By Sue Ellen Umali-Lee