A Dentist Can Predict Diabetes Risk

Your next visit to the dentist may be more than just a check of your teeth. Your dental office may also be screening you for your risk of developing diabetes.

A link between oral health and a risk for cancer and hypertension has long been known, but many adults who are at risk for diabetes may not know that a trip to the dentist can help them know exactly how at risk they are for the potentially deadly disease. In fact, it can also help you prevent diabetes.

In a study produced by NYU, researchers found a 93 percent increase of people who were "at risk" for diabetes based on their other health conditions were also suffering from periodontal disease. In addition to this, 60 percent of those with periodontal disease had gone around two years between dental visits, and many fear the same is true for visits to the medical doctor.

So what does this mean for individuals who are at risk for diabetes? When they visit the dentist to have their teeth checked and the dental office indicates they have periodontal disease, they will then know that it is time to have their blood sugar evaluated by a physician.

Some researchers indicate this link should make dentists go a little further. They recommend having dentists perform a simple blood check in the dental office on those suffering from gum disease to determine whether or not they are suffering from blood sugar issues. By finding blood sugar issues early, they may be able to help patients take natural measures, like dietary changes, that can prevent full-blown diabetes from developing. Dentists can also help their patients seek the necessary medical help they need to help them manage their blood sugar levels. 

What would this blood screening look like? It would be nothing more than a simple finger prick at the dentist office, much like a diabetic would use to test his or her blood sugar at home. It would not be invasive, and would provide an excellent benefit for those who are beginning to develop diabetes without their knowledge.

Why is this so important? Diabetes is affecting millions of people in America, with many who do not know they are affected. Research indicates around 24 million people have the condition, and that a fourth of those do not know they have it. With obesity and hypertension rates rising, diabetes rates are expected to rise as well, pulling in around 44 million people by the year 2025.

The disease affects people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic categories. Many of these will not know they have the condition because they rarely go to the doctor, and waiting until serious conditions are present is often too late to stop the damage that can occur from the disease. It is far better to seek help early, and the dentist has the power to screen for this in patients who would otherwise not know they have a problem.

So the next time you schedule an appointment with your dentist, think of it not only as a chance to make sure your teeth are clean and healthy, but also as an opportunity to screen yourself for serious health conditions, like diabetes. If your dental practitioner indicates a concern, follow up with it. By doing so, you just might save your life.

Article Tags: Suffering From, Blood Sugar

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