Diamons

diabetes

Photography by Dr. Padval

Open Your Mouth and Say Ahhh

There’s a lot we can learn from looking into your mouth during a routine oral exam. Not only is the oral cavity a mirror of your overall health—it’s a sort of early warning system that helps diagnose everything from malnutrition to diabetes to cancer. If you’re not getting enough Vitamin C or B complex in your diet, there’s a clue: tiny cracks in the lips. Insufficient iron? A burning sensation in the tongue. A painful red tongue is a tip-off to lack of Vitamin [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:02:49-08:00March 12, 2024|Preventative Dentistry|

Diabetes and Your Mouth

We could be first to know. Don’t let us be the last. Diabetes affects the blood chemistry and metabolism of its victims, threatening them with multiple serious disorders. But early detection can ward off the dangers, and we dentists are often the first to notice clues. Diabetics are more likely than others to develop tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, fungal infections, dry mouth, impaired taste, inflammatory skin disease, delayed healing and infections. Many diabetics have to come in for dental checkups more often than [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:02:41-08:00March 5, 2024|Patient Education|

Benefits of Self-Examination

Make Self-Examination Part Of Your Routine Most people know the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth, but one part of your oral health routine you may be neglecting is a simple visual self-examination. Take some time to get acquainted with all the parts of your mouth. You probably know what your teeth look like, but you should also note the appearance of your tongue, gums, back of the throat, and other soft tissues. You don't have to know what all the parts are [...]

By |2023-02-07T08:00:50-08:00February 7, 2023|Preventative Dentistry|

Do You Have Diabetes?

Diabetes and Dentistry What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. Specifically, this is due to the lack of the hormone insulin, which helps the body cells absorb glucose (sugar). There are two variations of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition preventing the production of insulin. It has a sudden onset, and patients are usually in the normal range of BMI. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic progressive condition where insulin [...]

By |2022-08-16T08:00:06-07:00August 16, 2022|Patient Education|

Gum Problems?

Gum Disease Treated Here! Find assistance in your fight with periodontal disease. For those that have it, gum disease is usually a continuing problem. Individuals may experience periods of healing, only to have flare-ups with increased inflammation, irritation, and bleeding gums. During your fight with gum disease, don't be scared or embarrassed to reach out for some professional assistance. Call our office at (916) 483-5900. With periodontal (gum) disease, it's even more important to take care of your teeth. That means thorough daily hygiene [...]

By |2021-03-23T08:00:12-07:00March 23, 2021|Periodontal Dentistry|

Why Diabetes Matters for Your Mouth

The Dental Connection to Diabetes The first symptoms are often oral problems More and more, we realize there's a relationship between infections in your mouth and inflammation caused by diabetes. And neglecting one makes the other worse! Make sure your blood glucose is controlled. If you have diabetes, uncontrolled blood glucose makes you more susceptible to gum disease. And a severe gum infection, in turn, makes it even tougher to control your blood glucose. Make an extra effort to baby those teeth and gums. [...]

By |2020-08-11T08:00:15-07:00August 11, 2020|Periodontal Dentistry|

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue

Have you ever wondered why doctors and dentists ask you to open wide and say, "Ahhhh?" It's true that dentists are looking for cavities and tooth-related problems, but the tongue and other soft tissues can also be an important indicator of a patient's overall health. Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, scarlet fever, and different vitamin deficiencies can all manifest symptoms via the tongue. Patients can also do their part by performing self-examinations at home. Whenever you find yourself brushing your teeth (usually in front [...]

By |2019-12-03T08:00:03-08:00December 3, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Gum Disease & Public Health

Gum Disease has Bigger Implications Gum disease continues to pose a significant threat to public health, with some studies suggesting more American adults have gum disease than previously thought. As detection, screening, and awareness has improved over the years, we now know that the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that can destroy the gum tissue, ligaments and even the bone supporting the teeth. Left untreated, [...]

By |2019-08-06T08:00:32-07:00August 6, 2019|Periodontal Dentistry|

The Diabetes Epidemic

How Bad is it? Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. The diabetes epidemic affects more than 29 million Americans, and 7 million of those don't know they have it. It is marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defective insulin production, function, or both. The symptoms of diabetes develop gradually and include: fatigue, frequent urination, blurred vision, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, and slow healing of sores. And unfortunately, some individuals experience no symptoms at [...]

By |2019-04-23T08:00:56-07:00April 23, 2019|Patient Education|

The Long & Short of Gum Disease

Surprising but true: the major cause of tooth loss in adults is not decay, but periodontal disease. More than half of all people over age 18 have at least the early stage of periodontal disease. After age 35, about three out of four adults are affected. Some people seem to be more susceptible to gum disease than others. Anything from pregnancy, systemic disease (like diabetes), and certain medications can contribute to its development. Smoking increases the likelihood dramatically (and renders treatment less effective). Some [...]

By |2018-05-08T08:00:58-07:00May 8, 2018|Periodontal Dentistry|