DIABETES AND DENTAL HEALTH

Laughter may indeed be good medicine, particularly for people needing to control their blood sugar, suggests a Japanese study. On two separate days, 5 healthy individuals and 19 subjects with diabetes ate exactly the same meal; they attended a monotonous, humourless lecture on the first day and a comedy show that made most of them laugh heartily on the second. Before the meal and again 2 hours after the meal, the subjects’ blood sugar was measured. When participants attended the comedy show, the increase in blood sugar associated with eating was 36% lower than it was after they attended the boring lecture! Researchers therefore propose that laughter may modulate the hormones involved in blood sugar control. So, if you are a diabetic, laugh your way to good health and while you’re at it, check out what your pearly whites have to say at the dental office.

Striking oral conditions

Some or most of the following findings are noticed in diabetics; a characteristic sweet, fruity odour emanating from the mouth (not always), a tendency toward drying and cracking, burning sensations, decrease in salivary flow, greater susceptibility to fungal and bacterial infections and reduction in defense mechanism. The gums need regular, methodical care without which there is severe inflammation, frequent abscesses, deep pockets in the gums and rapid bone loss.

At the Dental office

There are a few things you need to keep in mind before undergoing dental treatment if you are a diabetic:

1.Don’t break your head if your blood sugar levels are well under control; you can receive regular treatment. But for all practical purposes, it is good to have your levels checked every 2-3 months and have the report handy (as the dentist will begin any procedure only after seeing the report).

2.In the wake of diabetes, do not forget to tell your dentist if you also have hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiac problems, thyroid problems etc., as your physician may have to be consulted and a joint approach may be required.

3.If your diabetes is uncontrolled or the medication irregular, consult your doctor first and try to get it under control. However, if the toothache is unbearable, you could see your dentist; he will put you on medication for pain relief after checking with your physician.

4.Infection being a routine complication, you will be under antibiotic coverage 2 days before and at least 3 days after the operative procedure (extraction, root canal treatment etc.).

The author is dental surgeon and can be contacted at ALL SMILES DENTAL CLINIC, 26673439, 9845085230.