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TEETH/GUMS

I too had some gum bleeding before diagnosis. Gone now since I am under Good control. HbA1c received today5.6%. :D . However I do have a dead tooth, which the dentist says will have to come out if it causes trouble and he also said that using an implant to replace it is something that doesn't work well on diabetics.
 
Difficult one this since we all have different levels of oral hygiene. I certainly used to have bleeding gums but frankly this was entirely due to the fact that I hadn't visited a dentist in over 20 years due to having a low pain threshold!!! I now go every three months for a 'wash and brush up', my gums are healthy and pink and have grown back from the receded condition they had been in and my teeth are absolutely fine.

Many people don't realise that they have underlying gum disease. It may be nothing to do with the diabetes although I suspect it doesn't help.
 
I think one can exacerbate the other from what I have read. I have gum disease too. I take a multivitamin which has VitD in it which should help. I brush, use mouthwash and use interdental brushes twice daily. I hate the dentist but I do go when I remember to make an appointment. My gums are very receded in one area only for some reason (top left incisor) - do they grow back? :?
 
For the past few years I was diagnosed with gingivitis/gum disease. My last six-monthly dental appointment took place a week after my first A1c (5%). I hadn't really been concentrating on the gums - just brushing, mouth wash as usual - as I'd been focusing on diet and exercise to reduce my bg levels. The dentist was surprised by the improved state of my gums - no bleeding, receding,etc. I can only assume that the improvements in my bg levels over the preceding three months is correlated to improved blood sugar control. Does high blood sugars cause gum disease or does gum disease elevate blood sugar levels?
 
My teeth are what I hate most about my looks. I DO clean them and use mouthwash and visit a dentist for check-ups but even so, I have receding gums and gum disease and they bleed every time I brush them. If I was to come into money, I would pay for a perfect smile. Forget the tummy tucks, hair extensions, botox or any of that stuff......give me a set of dazzling gnashers and I'd be in heaven.
 
Children seem to suffer too, well mine does, despite regular cleaning, mouthwash and dental visits.
Andrews 2 biggest problems are cavities, i blame the night time hypos, lucozade and the tirdness of not brushing at 4am, plus every now and again he gets ulcers. He has always had soft teeth and this may be the root of his problem, even second teeth don't seem much harder. Any advise gratefully received as always,
Suzi x
 
VBee said:
I think one can exacerbate the other from what I have read. I have gum disease too. I take a multivitamin which has VitD in it which should help. I brush, use mouthwash and use interdental brushes twice daily. I hate the dentist but I do go when I remember to make an appointment. My gums are very receded in one area only for some reason (top left incisor) - do they grow back? :?
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Agreed, the high BG feeds bacteria and the inflammation from the infection keeps BG up.

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/ ... death.html

Watch out for that mouthwash though, my doctor recommended Corsodyl. The dentist remarked on the brown staining of my teeth and asked what I'd been doing.

I asked if it was the 85% chocolate, the red wine, the coffee or the nicotine and he said it was the mouthwash . . .

Curiously some of my gums *did* grow back a bit but it's not supposed to happen.
 
Both Andrew and i use Dentyl, as its alcholol free (for a child to use) and he likes the mild minty taste, i've just discovered (by reading the back of the label!) it contains sorbitol, obviously to make it taste nicer, should i continue to let him use it?
Suzi x
 
oh def! I hate my teeth, ever since i can remember they have been nothing but pain and trouble! I've already had 6 taken out because they just went manky, and i have no idea why because i'm very very strict with my routine, my boyfriend brushes his once a day and that's it and has no problems lol me? I am twice, sometimes three times if they are hurting, a day girl, i got mouthwash etc I can't wait to be able to afford to get them sorted out once and for all!
 
At my recent clinic appt there was a Dental researcher there looking for non smoking diabetics, post dx by 5 years. This was to specifically look at this issue as she stated that what they had long suspected (ie direct link between diabetes and gum disease) was now thought to be true.

I asked re whether tight control would prevent this but she felt it was more related to the fact that sometimes in addition to this Diabetics are prone to dry mouths and this lack of saliva causes problems with tackling the germs that cause plaque and decay. She didnt think control of BG would make any difference in this case.

She did say regular check ups, hygienist and flossing was your best bed.

I told her I would add it to the list of horrors............................. :?

L
 
I have been trying to pluck up the courage to go to the dentist for ages. I will really need to go. I dont have a lot of teeth left but what I have are rubbish. I am just such a coward.
 
popps said:
I too use Corsodyl. The dentist remarked: "That explains the black tongue".
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Mine sells a toothpaste called Elgydium which contains the same antiseptic but doesn't seem to alter the colour of anything.

Other than that he didn't have any particular recommendations for toothpaste, except using it regularly.

My previous dentist did a lot of trials and reckoned one formulation was so much better than the rest it effectively unblinded the trial. However for reasons of cost it was never marketed. The only one I found that seemed to come close in flavour and mouth feel was Aquafresh Extreme Clean which may be similar. At least that's what I tell myself when I pay the exorbitant price for it!
 
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