A very brief survey... your help would be much appreciated

How aware are you of the link between diabetes and gum disease?

  • Aware of it and have discussed with my dentist

    Votes: 14 32.6%

  • Aware of it but not discussed with a dentist, but would like to

    Votes: 8 18.6%

  • Aware of it but not discussed with a dentist and would not like to.

    Votes: 1 2.3%

  • Not aware

    Votes: 20 46.5%
  • Total voters
    43
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FSC

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Relationship to Diabetes
Hello
I am a dental practice owner, currently conducting a healthcare project on how to improve awareness of the link between diabetes and gum disease for both patients and staff. I would be very grateful if you could answer the following brief question on this topic.
Many thanks
 
I'm surprised my dentist didn't spot anything wrong with me when a root-filled tooth developed an infection 10 years after the original treatment, three months before my diagnosis. It's more than likely that my high blood sugar levels leading up to my diagnosis were the cause. He always checks for gum disease though, and although we now discuss diabetes, he hadn't brought it up before.
 
Thank you for your response. Did your dentist ever ask you about your general health prior to your diagnosis? As in symptoms you were experiencing, rather than actual diagnosis of disease.
 
My dentist (more often the receptionist) occasionally asks me to complete a form about medical conditions etc and the dentist sometimes asks me what medication I'm on but has never mentioned anything about gum disease in relation to diabetes. As I've not had gum disease this may be the reason why.
 
My dentist has, as I have gum disease. When diagnosed there was a g
Long discussion about links and treatment. I didn't know before that though
 
FSC said:
Thank you for your response. Did your dentist ever ask you about your general health prior to your diagnosis? As in symptoms you were experiencing, rather than actual diagnosis of disease.
Click to expand...
No, although he knew I was a marathon runner in pretty good general health. I had symptoms of diabetes, but only obvious with hindsight - symptoms can often be put down to other things.
 
Matt Cycle said:
My dentist (more often the receptionist) occasionally asks me to complete a form about medical conditions etc and the dentist sometimes asks me what medication I'm on but has never mentioned anything about gum disease in relation to diabetes. As I've not had gum disease this may be the reason why.
Click to expand...
Thanks Matt
 
I've never heard of a link between this and diabetes! Something else for me to worry about on Riley's behalf haha!😱
 
stacey_w said:
I've never heard of a link between this and diabetes! Something else for me to worry about on Riley's behalf haha!😱
Click to expand...
Please don't worry! Thorough cleaning - regular dental visits, just as everyone should..
 
My dentist initiated a discussion about it, after I filled in the medical questionnaire and put that I was diabetic. She asked what my HbA1c was ( it was 48, or 6.5). She says she thinks it's a chicken and egg scenario:- high sugar levels can make gum disease more likely, but having gum disease can make your sugar levels higher. She reminds me to keep up the flossing etc, and I'm pleased to say I scored 0 all round last time.
 
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I have signs of gum disease but not major. In fact the last time I saw my dentist, things had improved. I haven't seen my dentist since my diagnosis but I intend on changing dentists as my current one charges an extra £48 for cleaning!
 
I have other medical conditons which have a much bigger effect on my overall health (and ability to access medical treatment) than diabetes, so was surprised and a bit annoyed recently when I filled in a medical form for a dentist and he started asking me all about the diabetes and not about any of the other things. But then he said it was because diabetics are more prone to gum disease, so I forgave him! - I hadn't heard that before then.
 
I wasn't told until it was too late. Like AFTER I lost my 4 bottom front teeth in my early 30s. Others followed.

Odd really since it started when I was 13 - and I didn't get T1 until I was 22.
 
Untill recently I was unaware.
Though my dentists check for gum disease, they have never discussed the link with me. Nor has anyone gone through my list of medications with me apart from when I register at a dental practice
 
I go to dental hospital with my gums- and the rest of me. Last year I was unwell and gums were not improving, so I don't think the diabetes came as a big surprise to them and they really explained how both can affect each other
 
My dentist always asks about any medication I'm taking but has never discussed diabetes and gum disease. My gums are ok it's just my teeth that arnt!
 
My dentist checks gums every time and was the one who told me about the link.

I guess the DSNs thought there was enough to tell me about all the other stuff at the start, and I mentioned it to them once dentist had raised it.

Just keep doing what I am told by the dentist and attend regular checks.
 
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I was pleased that my dentist said that my gums were 'pink and healthy' at my recent appointment 🙂
 
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