Study Linking pancreatic cancer to oral health

It is now a known and accepted fact that an oral/systemic health link exists and that heart disease, diabetes and yes, even cancer, are related to the condition of one’s mouth!
In a small study recently published online in the journal GUT, the researchers suggest that levels of particular types of bacteria, some of which are found in gum disease, can be linked to the development of pancreatic cancer.
The researchers compared bacteria found in saliva of 10 pancreatic cancer patients whose cancer had not yet spread, with 10 healthy people and all participants were matched for age and sex.
They found that the cancer group had 31 additional species and 25 fewer species of bacteria in their saliva compared to the healthy group. The findings were verified by conducting the same study on 28 new participants in each group.
The researchers then went on to study samples from patients who had chronic inflammation of the pancreas, which is linked to an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. They discovered that among six suspicious species, two – Neisseria elongata and Streptococcus mitis – showed up substantially less often in the mouths of cancer patients while levels of another species – Granulicatella adjacens – were substantially higher!While it is unclear whether the presence of these specific bacteria are the cause or the effect of pancreatic cancer, the researchers conclude by suggesting that monitoring levels of these bacteria could be used as a non-invasive and credible screen for pancreatic cancer.

Dental Care for Diabetic Patients

Dental care for Diabetic Patients

Diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. 

There are three main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and  requires the person to inject insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes: results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. 
• Gestational diabetes: is when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. It may precede development of type 2 DM.

Oral Manifestations 

1.     Gingival and periodontal disease

·        Patients with diabetes are more prone to develop periodontal disease.

·        The patients may exhibit a fulminating periodontitis with periodontal abscess formation and inflamed painful abscess .This may lead to tooth mobility.

·        Gingival fluid in the diabetes has more glucose level which favours the growth of micro flora.

·        Insulin dependent diabetic children tend to have more destruction around the first molars and incisors than else where

2.     Median rhomboidal glossitis

·        Diabetes is considered to be factor for median rhomboidal glossitis as frequency of abnormal blood glucose level in diabetes.

·        There is also impairment of blood supply to dorsum of tongue due to arteriosclerosis changes in blood vessels supplying the area.

3.     Oral candidiasis

·        It is infection of Candida albicans which occur due to encouragement of local multiplication of candida albicans due to impaired glucose level.

4.     Localised osteitis

5.     Burning mouth

·        This is the one of the most common problem in diabetes.

·        It is associated with variety of symptoms like burning sensation of tongue and other parts of mouth.

6.     Trigeminal nerve involvement

·        Diabetes neuropathy is recognised as polymorphic condition as when manifested as polyneuropathy on the assumption the trigeminal nerve might be involved.

7.     Others

·        Increased caries activity due to xerostomia(dry mouth). If you are diabetic, the increase of sugar in your saliva leads to a decrease in the quantity of your saliva in your mouth.Suffering from dry mouth can lead to complications such as dental caries, because saliva contributes to a natural cleaning of teeth. Moreover, a lack of moisture leads to the development of ulcers, fungal infections and difficulty to wear  dentures .

·        Fissuring and drying of tongue

Tips for Diabetics

1. Brush twice daily with soft tooth brush.
2. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, but preferably after every meal. You should also floss your teeth to complete the brushing by removing plaque and food particles that can remain between teeth and the surrounding gums. Because there is less saliva in the mouth, which normally contributes to a natural cleaning of teeth, a meticulous dental hygiene is therefore very important.
3. Rinse your mouth with water after every meal.
4. Avoid high sugar foods and include fibrous food in your diet
5. Visit your dentist regularly. Periodontal disease can reach an advanced level without necessarily feeling any kind of pain, and without your gums bleeding. Regular dental checkups, preferably every three months, are then recommended to detect any signs of gingivitis or periodontitis, but also dental caries.
6. If you are denture wearer , clean your denture properly and remove your denture while you sleep.
7. Drink ample of water.
8. Chew xylitol chewing gum.

Are Diabetics More Likely To Get Periodontal Disease?

Diabetes and periodontal disease

Whats the connection?

Yes you heard right!!!!!! Diabetics are more likely to get periodontal disease.

 probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections.

In fact," periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes"

If you control periodontal disease, it may help you control your blood sugar

How?

Having an infection, including periodontal disease can impair the body’s ability to process and/or use insulin, so if you control the infection it might be easier to control the blood sugar.

The prevalence of diabetic issues continues to improve yearly, creating an immense monetary burden in order to Canadians priced at over $9 billion within healthcare, impairment, work reduction as well as premature dying. Approximately 35% associated with adults donrrrt know that they even have diabetes so that as primary medical service providers dental care hygienists may be in the lead in helping to evaluate dental modifications that may well show undiscovered diabetes.

Elevated blood sugar can precipitate an increase in sugar-loving bacteria that cause and increase in plaque formation that can than lead to inflammation and periodontal diseases.

"In 2000 The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) took a strong stand on this bi-directional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes and issued a statement that that oral health professionals should contact clients’ physicians to inform them of any periodontal diseases, since periodontal infections may increase insulin resistance, lead to a worsening of the diabetic state and increase the risk of diabetic complications."

So… if you are diabetic, remember that oral homecare and professional periodontal maintenance (regular teeth cleaning) will help you to better manage your diabetes and insure that your oral and systemic health are optimal.

Diabetes and dental care

Diabetes and dental care

"Diabetes And Dental Care two goes hand in hand"
For those who have experienced diabetes since long time, it is most likely toneed to take insulin shots regularly. Therefore, they are undoubt concerned with their general health. With regards to diabetes and dental care, it is essential to be sure to be aware of a couple of things regarding Diabetes and Dental Care.With regards to diabetes and dental care, here are several things which has to be given special attention to:-

• Firstly, diabetes is actually a disorder in which the blood glucose levels are generally extremely high(hyperglycemia), or they're extremely low( hypoglycemia). 
• Individual who's very low blood glucose levels, that individual is generally asked to eat things with sweets within them to improve blood glucose levels which are too low. As a result, many diabetics with this particular problem find themselves eating sweets in between meals,which may be responsible for tooth decay. 
• For those who have high blood glucose level, it is important to maintain proper glucose levels in the blood with the help of insulin shots. As a result, things that this type of diabetic eats should be limited to foods which are sugar-free, or have got a low sugar level. 
• Always make sure to check ingredients of your tooth paste. with regards to diabetes and dental care, make sure to check the sugar content of your toothpaste you're using. Surprisingly, brands of toothpaste have some form of sugar included to make them taste much better.  so go through the back of packing of toothpaste and check if the toothpaste is in acceptable levels. Absolutely no, you don't ingest toothpaste, however your mouth may absorb some of the sugar that's inside it. If the amount of sugar inside your toothpaste is just too high, change to a another brand of toothpaste. 
• When you're in the dentist’s office, make sure that your dentist is aware that you've diabetes, to help you receive the correct care regarding the tooth cleansing items. Individuals who have diabetes often likewise have sensitive gums, so always be sure the hygienist is aware of that too. So, with regards to diabetes and dental care, make sure to watch the foods you eat and also the toothpaste that you use, and you're sure to have got a correct dental care.