UniMumCelt14
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Have been T1 for almost 4 years, undiagnosed 3 - 5 year prior to actual diagnosis.
I have been having an awful time with dental problems prior and since T1 diagnosis.
I have been trying for 3 and a half years to get the help that I deperately need.
I have Chronic Periodontal Disease and endo perio abscesses every other week.
I have had 2 different dentists in this time.
I have always looked after my teeth and have never had any problems until just prior to diabetes diagnosis.
The first dentist just told me that I just need to clean better and should brush at least 4 times a day, especially after every meal and one of those times should be for 10 mins and use Corsodyl. I have always used an electric toothbrush and this did sound far too much. But when I try to explain the vicious circle of glucose levels and perio disease I was laughed at and told I just don't look after my teeth and to come for 3 monthly scale and polish.
The treatment was horrendous and agony and offered no pain relief but I did it. Was given a pocket measurement exam (no pain relief) and a bone xray which showed significant bone loss. Again I was told that I am not brushing properly. Showed him nhs diabetic/ perio correlations and was sneered at as if I was making it up.
Changed dentist.
New dentist had a check of my teeth and gum/xray etc and confirmed that it was perio disease linked to poor diabetes control. My bc's have always been in the target range, I eat healthily and I exercise regularly. but according to them I must be lying. No interest in reading any of the guides for diabetic patients and dental treatment. Was told a referral to dental hospital would be sent. Waited 18 weeks... nothing. Chased them about it and was told that it had been forgotten. Re-referred Feb 2016... waited 21 weeks... nothing. Chased them again after weeks of constant perio abscesses. At my wits end and in constant pain. Called them to find out what was going on.. Told to call dental institute myself. Dental institute conformed my referral had been returned to my dentist as I didn't meet requirements and had been returned in March 2016.
Spoke to dentists again who were pretty blasè about it and said they would put together a dental plan to get things started. No return call. Went for 6 monthly check-up with my son and myself and was given completely different dentist, who then proceeded to berate my for poor oral hygiene. He hadn't looked at my file, had no idea I was diabetic or the dental/diabetic implications. I demanded he check the last xray and pocket depths and then showed him the pus pouring out of every part of my gums before he got it. Tried to get me to go private, saying I would get better treatment than nhs (and more money in his pocket no doubt ). Have apparantly developed 2 new cavities??
Wants to treat the cavities first before helping with the CPD. My teeth are healthy, sparkly white... its the gums that are the problem. Have been given 4 appointments for perio treatment now.
The perio disease really affects my morning glucose levels. I can go to bed at 5.2 usually but wake up with anything between 14.2 and 18.5. Which will have and adverse effect on my annual blood tests.
Then i get berated from the Diabetic consultant because the level will be higher and of course I am a bad diabetic. (The usual 5 minute couldn't-give-a-c**p appointment)
I feel as I am being treated unfairly and no-one is listening, no one wants to help.
Really at my wits end
I have been having an awful time with dental problems prior and since T1 diagnosis.
I have been trying for 3 and a half years to get the help that I deperately need.
I have Chronic Periodontal Disease and endo perio abscesses every other week.
I have had 2 different dentists in this time.
I have always looked after my teeth and have never had any problems until just prior to diabetes diagnosis.
The first dentist just told me that I just need to clean better and should brush at least 4 times a day, especially after every meal and one of those times should be for 10 mins and use Corsodyl. I have always used an electric toothbrush and this did sound far too much. But when I try to explain the vicious circle of glucose levels and perio disease I was laughed at and told I just don't look after my teeth and to come for 3 monthly scale and polish.
The treatment was horrendous and agony and offered no pain relief but I did it. Was given a pocket measurement exam (no pain relief) and a bone xray which showed significant bone loss. Again I was told that I am not brushing properly. Showed him nhs diabetic/ perio correlations and was sneered at as if I was making it up.
Changed dentist.
New dentist had a check of my teeth and gum/xray etc and confirmed that it was perio disease linked to poor diabetes control. My bc's have always been in the target range, I eat healthily and I exercise regularly. but according to them I must be lying. No interest in reading any of the guides for diabetic patients and dental treatment. Was told a referral to dental hospital would be sent. Waited 18 weeks... nothing. Chased them about it and was told that it had been forgotten. Re-referred Feb 2016... waited 21 weeks... nothing. Chased them again after weeks of constant perio abscesses. At my wits end and in constant pain. Called them to find out what was going on.. Told to call dental institute myself. Dental institute conformed my referral had been returned to my dentist as I didn't meet requirements and had been returned in March 2016.
Spoke to dentists again who were pretty blasè about it and said they would put together a dental plan to get things started. No return call. Went for 6 monthly check-up with my son and myself and was given completely different dentist, who then proceeded to berate my for poor oral hygiene. He hadn't looked at my file, had no idea I was diabetic or the dental/diabetic implications. I demanded he check the last xray and pocket depths and then showed him the pus pouring out of every part of my gums before he got it. Tried to get me to go private, saying I would get better treatment than nhs (and more money in his pocket no doubt ). Have apparantly developed 2 new cavities??
Wants to treat the cavities first before helping with the CPD. My teeth are healthy, sparkly white... its the gums that are the problem. Have been given 4 appointments for perio treatment now.
The perio disease really affects my morning glucose levels. I can go to bed at 5.2 usually but wake up with anything between 14.2 and 18.5. Which will have and adverse effect on my annual blood tests.
Then i get berated from the Diabetic consultant because the level will be higher and of course I am a bad diabetic. (The usual 5 minute couldn't-give-a-c**p appointment)
I feel as I am being treated unfairly and no-one is listening, no one wants to help.
Really at my wits end
It might be worth talking to someone on the Diabetes UK Helpline: