It’s National Diabetes Month! 

Did you know that it is estimated from the CDC that 34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes. 88 million American adults—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Along with over 7 million are estimated to have diabetes and not even know it.

Diabetes takes a toll on your entire body because it affects your body’s ability to process sugar.  So why would a dentist be talking about this and what does this have to do with that smile of yours?

• You produce less saliva and because saliva protects your teeth you now have a higher risk for getting cavities
• Your gums are more likely to bleed (due to gingivitis)
• You have problems tasting food so you may eat more which causes weight issues and impacts your entire body
• You have delayed wound healing so your more susceptible to infections in your mouth through the bleeding gums
• Gum disease (bone loss) affects nearly 22% of people with diabetes. Gum disease is often described as a “silent” disease similar to hypertension, so most people don’t even know they have it. Great news though; research suggests treating gum disease helps improve your blood sugar control.

If you have type 2 diabetes, hopefully you’re tracking your blood sugar, having the recommended tests from your doctor, and taking any medicines you’ve been prescribed.  If not there is good news that you can take charge of your health today.

Your Lifestyle is actually the cornerstone of diabetes treatment. This is isn’t talked about much and especially not by a dentist right?  I am no ordinary dentist.  I look at the body as a whole. We are all connected and diabetes can impact your oral health as well as your overall health.  Controlling your blodd sugar, brushing, flossing and visiting us here at Stamm Dental Wellness can go a long way to help decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes-related mouth issues.

I am big on “Healthy Habits” and when you have diabetes your everyday habits can keep your blood sugar in check and prevent the other conditions associated with diabetes. Here are 7 steps that I call the Dental Health Action plan about diabetes to help your overall health as well.

1. Control your Blood Sugar.
   1. Breakfast is your body’s best friend. You want a breakfast to consist of mostly healthy fats and protein with some complex carbohydrates.  An example is ½ an avocado and an over-easy egg lightly pan fried in grassfed butter placed over a piece of gluten free toast. Or a simple egg muffin with veggies and pasture raised pork that you can make ahead on your busy days.  Starting your day off with the traditional cereal, bagels, or muffins will cause your blood sugar to spike which is not good for anyone and especially if you have diabetes.
   2. Exercise more! People with diabetes are instructed to get at least 30 mintes of exercise 5 days a week. This is because along with strengthening the heart and bones, it helps the body respond better to insulin.  Really everyone should be doing at least this amount of exerice a week, if not more.  Even if you don’t have a full 30 minutes to exercise in a day, do 10 minute intervals throughtout the day.  Wear a device that tracks your steps and shoot for 10,000/d. Walk the stairs at lunch time.
   3. Take your prescribed medications and get tested regularly to make sure everything is under control.
2. Weather can affect your health. It’s easy to hibernate all winter rather than go outdoors to exercise.  Believe me I know.  Living in Colorado but being from Arizona, this part is truly hard for me.  Vitamin D3 is so important for our overall health and if we can get just 20 minutes of sunshine a day this goes along way.
3. Alcohol does a number on your blood sugar. Having more than a drink a day is unwise for anyone.  Alcohol blocks the production of glucose in the liver, potentially making blood sugar drop.  Plus, if the medications you are on lists hypoglycemia as a side effect, you have more risk of crashing after drinking.  If you know you are going to indulge, eat before you drink and switch to a fun non-alcoholic drink after your first round.  When you get home check your blood sugar, if it’s lower than 100-140 mg/dl, eat something to raise it before bed, says Jill Weinsenberger, a registered dietician nutritionist and the author of Diabetes Weight Loss: Week by Week.
4. Smoking is bad for you and everyone else. For diabetes, smoking raises the odds of diabetic eye and nerve damage as well as heart disease.  It also causes a lot of gum issues in your mouth as well.  If you don’t know how to quit or where to start, the American Diabetes Association suggests just listing our all the reasons you want to quit and post it somewhere you can easily read each day.  There is also a QuitStart app from the National Cancer Institute that can help.
5. If you wear a denture, clean it everyday
6. Your gums need extra care. Now this is my favorite part.  People with diabetes are at a higher risk of serious gum disease.
   1. See your dentist for recommended number of visits. A lot of times patients with diabetes need to come in more than 2 times a year to keep disease free and stable
   2. Brush at least two times a day with a soft brush and floss or use a waterpik to clean between your teeth as well.
   3. Drink lots of water (at least 8 glasses a day). Be careful of bottled water because a lot of them are acidic.
7. Sleep helps balance your hormones. I am also a huge advocate for quality sleep for everyone.  It has been found that blood sugar is not only regulated by insulin but also by hormones.  Good quality sleep helps maintain your hormones daily rhythms.  So what can you do about it? We have a whole sleep program at Stamm Dental Wellness, but here are some tips to get you started.
   1. It’s about quality over quantity. Let us know if you wake up multiple times a night because could be related to your airway. If you snore it is especially important to see a healthcare professional about this and we are here to help.
   2. Mouth tape,
   3. Take a glass of orange juice 1 hour before bed,
   4. Take some magnesium before bed, 400mg (also helps with stress!),
   5. Turn off the wi-fi in your room (turn your phone on airplane mode!),
   6. Make sure that your bedroom is a dark room (sleep masks can be effective!),
   7. Utilize Ear plugs if needed.
   8. Try for 7-8 hours per night.

Schedule Your Appointment
Looking for more personalized professional advice? Please feel free to contact our office in Denver, CO to schedule your appointment. Our doctors, Heather L. Stamm, DDS, Melissa Hernandez, DDS, and Chrissy Stamm-Christian, DC, will be able to give you healthy advice and find the best options for you.