Smoking and Dental Problems
Dental Problems Associated with Tobacco Use
From About.com
Updated: November 14, 2007
Low Cost Dental Care
Most of us know that smoking is bad for our health, but did you know
that smoking is also a major contributor to many dental problems?
Cigarettes aren't the only products only to blame. All forms of
tobacco, including cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah water
pipes, pose dental health concerns.
Dental Problems Associated with Tobacco Use
Tobacco use...
greatly increases the risk for oral cancer, a disease that progresses rapidly and can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated early.
increases the risk of gum disease, which is one of the
leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
(smoking in particular) can slow down healing after oral surgery
procedures, such as having a tooth pulled.
can damage gum tissue and cause receding gums, leaving the roots
of the teeth exposed. This could increase the risk of tooth decay
and cause hot/cold sensitivity.
can cause bad breath.
causes stains on teeth that can't be removed with regular brushing.
can cause a build up of tartar, which could require you to get
more frequent dental cleanings.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your teeth and gums healthy
A new report suggests that treating gum disease in patients who have diabetes with
procedures such as cleanings and periodontal scaling is linked to 10 to 12 percent
lower medical costs per month.
The findings are encouraging but the study was not designed to firmly establish
cause and effect, said George Taylor, University of Michigan associate professor of
dentistry, who also has an appointment in epidemiology in the U-M School of Public
Health. Taylor led the research project to investigate whether routine, non-surgical
treatment for gum disease is linked to lower medical care costs for people with diabetes.
In periodontal disease, the body reacts to the bacteria causing the gum infection
by producing proteins or chemicals called inflammatory mediators. Ulcers and open
sores in the gums become passageways for these proteins and for the bacteria themselves to enter the body’s blood circulation. These inflammatory mediators, as well as some parts of the bacteria, prevent the body from effectively removing glucose, or sugar, from the blood.
The higher level of blood sugar is known as poor diabetes control. Poor diabetes control leads to serious diabetes complications such as vision disorders, cardiovascular and kidney disease and amputations, among others.
Cleanings and other non-surgical periodontal treatment remove the harmful bacteria,
Taylor said. “We believe this helps prevent the body from producing those harmful chemicals that can enter the systemic circulation and contribute to poorer diabetes control.
Blue Care Network provided U-M researchers data from 2,674 patients aged 18-64 who were enrolled in BCN between 2001 and 2005 and had at least 12 consecutive months of medical, dental, and pharmaceutical coverage.
“We found insured adults with diabetes in Michigan who received routine periodontal
treatment, such as dental cleanings and scaling, have significantly lower medical care costs than those who do not,” Taylor said. “These results could be meaningful to
individuals, employers, health care providers and insurers.”
The study showed that medical care costs decreased by an average of 11 percent per month for patients who received one or two periodontal treatment procedures annually compared to those who received none. For patients receiving three or four annual treatments, costs decreased nearly 12 percent.
The study also showed that combined medical and pharmaceutical monthly costs were 10
percent lower for patients who received one or two periodontal procedures annually.
Posted in Diabetic Health Tips, Teeth
procedures such as cleanings and periodontal scaling is linked to 10 to 12 percent
lower medical costs per month.
The findings are encouraging but the study was not designed to firmly establish
cause and effect, said George Taylor, University of Michigan associate professor of
dentistry, who also has an appointment in epidemiology in the U-M School of Public
Health. Taylor led the research project to investigate whether routine, non-surgical
treatment for gum disease is linked to lower medical care costs for people with diabetes.
In periodontal disease, the body reacts to the bacteria causing the gum infection
by producing proteins or chemicals called inflammatory mediators. Ulcers and open
sores in the gums become passageways for these proteins and for the bacteria themselves to enter the body’s blood circulation. These inflammatory mediators, as well as some parts of the bacteria, prevent the body from effectively removing glucose, or sugar, from the blood.
The higher level of blood sugar is known as poor diabetes control. Poor diabetes control leads to serious diabetes complications such as vision disorders, cardiovascular and kidney disease and amputations, among others.
Cleanings and other non-surgical periodontal treatment remove the harmful bacteria,
Taylor said. “We believe this helps prevent the body from producing those harmful chemicals that can enter the systemic circulation and contribute to poorer diabetes control.
Blue Care Network provided U-M researchers data from 2,674 patients aged 18-64 who were enrolled in BCN between 2001 and 2005 and had at least 12 consecutive months of medical, dental, and pharmaceutical coverage.
“We found insured adults with diabetes in Michigan who received routine periodontal
treatment, such as dental cleanings and scaling, have significantly lower medical care costs than those who do not,” Taylor said. “These results could be meaningful to
individuals, employers, health care providers and insurers.”
The study showed that medical care costs decreased by an average of 11 percent per month for patients who received one or two periodontal treatment procedures annually compared to those who received none. For patients receiving three or four annual treatments, costs decreased nearly 12 percent.
The study also showed that combined medical and pharmaceutical monthly costs were 10
percent lower for patients who received one or two periodontal procedures annually.
Posted in Diabetic Health Tips, Teeth
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)