Smart Strategies for Successful Living: Your Link to Quality Aging

Dentists, Diabetes, and You: Effects Diabetes has on Teeth and GumsOCTOBER 25, 2023In the United States, one in ten people have diabetes. However, one in five people with the disease arent aware they have it. This is concerning because managing the condition without a diagnosis can be challenging.While a medical doctor is often the first to see symptoms of diabetes, your dentist is another professional who can spot signs of the condition during your preventive checkups. Diabetes can have a serious impact on your oral health; therefore, its important to properly manage the disease if youre diagnosed.DIABETES IN THE UNITED STATESDiabetes is one of the most common types of chronic disease in America, which is why its important to understand the effect of diabetes on oral health.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 37.3 million people living in the U.S. have diabetes, yet only about half are officially diagnosed with the disease.More shockingly, as many as 96 million Americans are prediabetic, meaning they have a higher than normal blood sugar, but its not high enough to be considered diabetic.The number of diabetes diagnoses is expected to dramatically increase in the United States during the next decade. Because of this, keeping track of any changes in your oral or physical health is essential. Untreated diabetes can lead to serious medical complications and even death, so its vital to go to preventive medical and dental appointments where professionals can spot signs of the condition.Although there is no cure for diabetes, it can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications.DIABETES AND ORAL HEALTHDiabetes impacts many parts of the body, including the mouth and teeth. If diabetes is left untreated, patients may experience the following symptoms:Dry mouth due to less saliva productionA higher risk of cavities and tooth decayIncreased risk of developing gum diseaseA higher risk of developing an infection in the gum and bone that hold teeth in placeTooth lossBad breathDuring your bi-annual preventive checkups, your dentist can compare any changes in your oral health that may indicate diabetes. Maintaining good dental health habits and receiving professional deep cleanings from your dentist can also help lower your HbA1c or average blood glucose levels.Its a two-way street! Though dental patients with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, dental cleanings help reduce a diabetic patients risk factors for unhealthy glucose levels.REDUCING YOUR RISK OF DIABETESPreventing diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes, is one of the best ways to care for your oral and physical health. Medical professionals recommend the following to reduce your risk of developing the disease:Eat more plant-based food such as leafy greens, legumes, fruits from trees, and whole grainsSkip trendy diets and focus on maintenanceLose excess weightMove your body for at least 30 minutes a dayIncrease good fats, such as olive oil and nuts, in your dietDENTAL APPOINTMENTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR ORAL AND OVERALL HEALTHVisits with your dentist are important for oral and overall health. Dentist keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and are also on the lookout for changes in your overall health. Small changes in your mouth may not mean much to you, but to  dentists, these changes  can indicate bigger problems such as diabetes, oral cancer, and other medical conditions.For more information about how dental appointments help your overall health, check out this blog.CLINIC AND PROVIDER TIPS, ORAL HEALTH

Lower Your Risk of Oral CancerAPRIL 21, 2021Guest Blog by Dr. Mark Alexander, DMD*In recognition of Oral Cancer Awareness month (April) Id like to recommend two easy ways you can help lower the risk of oral cancer impacting you or your loved ones. My family practice, Alexander Dental Group, has been serving the Twin Falls area for 75 years now and, in that time, Im sorry to say, we have seen oral cancer from minor and easily treated to untreatable with a grave prognosis.  Early diagnosis is critical to say the least! According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. So, my first recommendation is that everyone see their dentist regularly (once every 6 months), AND, ask your dentist to perform an Oral Cancer Screening (OCS) with each checkup, if theyre not doing so already.  While the OCS is not perfect (some cancer can be very hard to find with the OCS), this screening is very important in finding potential oral cancer. The screening is painless and only takes about 90 seconds. And while your family doctor should also be examining your mouth, your dentist probably gives you more frequent exams and therefore is more likely to catch oral pathology earlywhich is so important! Second, use sunscreen on your lips. Lip cancer is usually treated surgicallywhich includes removal of the lesion AND healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. Obviously, this can impact your ability to eat and speak and may become a cosmetic deficiency. Lip balm with SPF 15 (SPF 30 is even better) should be applied regularly, especially if you are in the sun. Its not just for chapped lips!These are two relatively easy ways to lower your risk of oral cancer; regular screenings and protective sunscreen. If you have any questions about your oral health, or have concerns about your risk for oral cancer, please talk to your dentist. Were here to help.*Dr. Mark Alexander, DMD, provides a wide range of dental care and services including restorative procedures at his practice, Alexander Dental Group, in Twin Falls. He is also a board member of Delta Dental of Idaho.

Brushing and Flossing with Arthritis PainDECEMBER 18, 2020Our mouths need dental care day and night, and its important to find a way to make that happen. Brushing and flossing with arthritis in the hands can be painful, but avoiding daily care only leads to more pain. Ignoring oral health leads to gum disease, cavities, and even losing teeth.Lack of dental care can also be bad for the rest of the body. Theres more than one way oral health and joint pain are connected. Learn what joint inflammation has in common with gum disease and tips for an oral health routine that accommodates arthritis pain.ORAL BACTERIA, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, AND JOINT PAINResearchers have found a significant relationship between our mouths and our joints. One study found that the fewer teeth a person has, the greater their risk is for joint inflammation. Patients with fewer than 20 teeth had eight times the risk of swollen joints as someone with all their teeth!The National Arthritis Foundation writes that such stats are part of the growing body of research linking periodontal disease, or gum disease, with rheumatoid arthritis. Another study from the late 90s found that people with moderate to severe periodontitis face over twice the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than someone with even mild periodontitis.Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis have this in common: inflammation. Inflammation in the body can lead to inflammation in the mouth. Likewise, chronic inflammation from gum disease can impact overall health, leading to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels.Poor dental health increases the bad bacteria in the mouth. This can lead to bacterial infections in the blood stream, impacting the heart. Maintaining oral health will help preserve overall health and needs to be done even with arthritis pain.BRUSHING AND FLOSSING WITH ARTHRITISBrushing and flossing problems are so common for people with joint inflammation that the UK National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society has an entire webpage dedicated to dental care with arthritis.USE THESE TIPS TO EASE THE PROCESS OF BRUSHING AND FLOSSING:An electric toothbrush helps in two ways. It does the brushing work for you, and they tend to have a larger handle that is easier to grip than a traditional manual toothbrush.A variety of materials can also be used to wrap the grip of a toothbrush to make it larger and slip resistant. If gripping something tightly is an issue, there are toothbrush accessories made just for this purpose.Sitting while brushing lets you rest an elbow on the counter for support. And remember its still important to brush even if you have dentures.Hand-held flosser tools work well for flossing with arthritis as this presents different problems for those with joint pain or dexterity issues. Hand-held flossers range in size from the smaller interdental flossers, to flossers with long handles and disposable flossing ends!Another way to replace the string altogether is an electric flosser that uses water or mouthwash to blast the plaque away.Talk to your dentist to find what best suits your needs.Looking for more tips on health care as we age? Check out:Idahos Top Lists | Why Older Adults Love Idaho