1. Diabetes and Oral Health:
There is growing scientific evidence that suggests a strong relationship between your oral health and your overall health.
Striving to achieve optimal health is essential for everyone and this becomes even more important when your general health has been affected in some way.
The Ontario Dental Association is pleased to provide this overview of important information that focuses on the relationship between diabetes and oral health care.
My name is xxx and I am a member of XXX Component Society of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA). The ODA and its member dentists are committed to providing exemplary oral health care to the people of Ontario.
Every April, the ODA rolls out Oral Health Month to help build awareness about the importance of oral health for all ages. This year, our subject continues along the theme concerning the relationship between oral and overall health, with particularly focus on diabetes.

2. Diabetes and Oral Health
Approximately 2.25 million Canadians
have diabetes
Nearly 1 million people with diabetes live in Ontario
By monitoring any oral infections that affect your gums and jaw, your dentist may help detect signs of early onset diabetes
It is estimated that 2.25 million Canadians have diabetes. Many are unaware they have the condition.
In Ontario, there are more than 706,500, or 7.5 per cent of the population living with diabetes.
Research shows that gum disease and diabetes can affect one another. For instance, gum disease can intensify the complications associated with diabetes by increasing blood sugar. Blood sugar levels that remain high over a period of time are associated with premature degeneration of your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels.
By monitoring any oral infections that affect your gums and jaw, your dentist may help detect signs of early onset diabetes.
To get us started, I/we would like to provide you with an overview of the presentation you will be seeing today.

3. Diabetes and Oral Health
Overview
What is diabetes?
How does diabetes affect my oral health?
What are some of the risk factors/symptoms?
Taking control
Proper oral hygiene
Questions?
Today, I/we will be highlighting to you exactly what diabetes is and how it can affect your oral health – as well as the effect of your oral health on your diabetes if you already have the disease.
I/we will briefly outline some of the more common risk factors and symptoms, and address steps that you can take to reduce your risk of getting diabetes.
I/we will conclude with questions and answers, but if there is anything you would like clarified throughout the course of the presentation, please don’t hesitate to ask.

4. Diabetes and Oral Health
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which
the body does not produce or
properly use insulin – a hormone
needed to absorb sugar (the basic
fuel for cells). As a result, the body
cannot use sugars from food.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin – a hormone needed to absorb sugar (the basic fuel for cells). As a result, the body cannot use sugars from food.

5. Diabetes and Oral Health
Facts about diabetes*
More than 2 million Canadians suffer from diabetes
The number is expected to grow to 3 million in the next 4 years
Among people with diabetes 80% will die of stroke or heart disease
1,000 + Ontarians every week learn that they have diabetes
Ontarians with diabetes make up 7.5% of the population, but account for:
32% of heart attacks
30% of strokes
51% of new dialysis cases
70% of limb amputations#
Here are some fascinating facts about diabetes
More than 2 million Canadians suffer from diabetes
This number is expected to grow to 3 million in the next 4 years
Among those people with diabetes, 80% will die of stroke or heart disease
More than 1,000 Ontarians learn that they have diabetes every week
Although Ontarians with diabetes make up 7.5% of the total population, they account for:
32% of heart attacks
30% of strokes
51% of new dialysis cases
70% of limb amputations
These statistics help to underscore the seriousness of diabetes and why it has become so prevalent within media reports and, of course, within the medical community.
*Canadian Diabetes Association – Snapshot on Diabetes: The Ontario Report
# ICES Practice Atlas: Diabetes in Ontario, June 2003

6. Diabetes and Oral Health
In type 1 diabetes the body makes little or no insulin
This often leads to total insulin deficiency
This condition tends to occur in individuals under 30 years of age, most often in childhood or during the teen years; older patients exhibit this form of diabetes on occasion
In type 1 diabetes the body makes little or no insulin
This often leads to total insulin deficiency
This condition tends to occur in individuals under 30 years of age, most often in childhood or during the teen years; older patients exhibit this form of diabetes on occasion
What’s happening in the body?
The stomach changes food into glucose/sugar
The glucose enters the bloodstream through blood vessels
The pancreas, responsible for insulin production, produces little or no insulin in a person with type 1 diabetes
Therefore, little or no insulin can enter the bloodstream
As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. This is known as hyperglycemia
© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Diabetes and Oral Health
In type 2 diabetes the cells in the body do not respond properly to insulin produced
patients still produce insulin, but the body doesn’t respond properly to the hormone.
Direct relationship between the degree of obesity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in both children and adults
In type 2 diabetes the cells in the body do not respond properly to insulin produced
patients still produce insulin, but the body doesn’t respond properly to the hormone.
Direct relationship between the degree of obesity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in both children and adults
What’s happening in the body?
The stomach changes food into glucose/sugar
Glucose enters the bloodstream through blood vessels
The pancreas, responsible for insulin production, makes insulin
Insulin enters the bloodstream
In type 2 diabetes, glucose cannot be absorbed by the cells of the body,
As a result there is a build-up of glucose in the blood vessels instead of being used by the body for energy.
© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Diabetes and Oral Health
Risk Factors
40 or older? You may be at risk of type 2 diabetes
Testing every three years is recommended
Other risk factors that may require more frequent testing:
Member of a high-risk group
Overweight
Family member with diabetes
Had/have gestational diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
If you are aged 40 or older, you are at risk for type 2 diabetes and should be tested at least every three years. If any of the following risks factors apply, you should be tested earlier and/or more often.
Other risk factors that may require more frequent testing include:
Being a member of a high-risk group (Aboriginal, Asian, South Asian or African descent)
Overweight (especially if you carry most of your weight around your middle)
Having a family member with diabetes
Health complications that are associated with diabetes
Given birth to a baby that weighed more than 4 kg (9 lb)
Have or had gestational diabetes
Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose
High blood pressure
High cholesterol

9. Diabetes and Oral Health
Symptoms
Unusual thirst
Frequent urination
Weight change (gain or loss)
Extreme fatigue/lack of energy
Blurred vision
Frequent or recurring infections
Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
NOTE: Many people with type 2 diabetes display no symptoms
What are the symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of diabetes include the following:
Unusual thirst
Frequent urination
Weight change (gain or loss)
Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
Blurred vision
Frequent or recurring infections
Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
It is important to recognize, however, that many people who have type 2 diabetes may display no symptoms at all.

10. Diabetes and Oral Health
Left untreated, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, such as:
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Eye disease
Problems with erection (impotence)
Nerve damage
Infections and other serious complications
People with diabetes also face a greater risk of developing oral infections and gum disease
If left untreated, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, problems with erection (impotence), nerve damage, resulting in extremities (hands and feet) losing sensation. As a result, people with diabetes are often unaware of injuries. A person with reduced sensation is less likely to notice small cuts or blisters if and when they occur. This can lead to infections and other serious complications.
Studies have shown that people with diabetes also face a greater risk of developing oral infections and periodontal (gum) disease than those who do not have diabetes.

11. Diabetes and Oral Health
Oral health problems associated with diabetes:
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Dry mouth
Fungal infections
Lesions in the mouth
Taste impairment
Infection
Delayed healing
The most common oral health problems associated with diabetes are: tooth decay; gum disease; dry mouth; fungal infections; lesions in the mouth; taste impairment; infection and delayed healing.

12. Diabetes and Oral Health
There is some good news!
The good news is that treatment of either disease can lead to improvements in the other.
Focus on:
Healthy eating
Watching your weight
Physical activity
Taking control
The good news is that the treatment of either gum disease or diabetes can lead to improvements in the other.
Scientists believe that lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Eating right, watching your weight, physical activity and being proactive – or taking control of your health – can certainly help.

13. Diabetes and Oral Health
Take control:
Stay in touch with your dentist and other health providers
Let your dentist know:
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes
If the disease is under control
If you take insulin, and when your last dose was administered
If there has been any other change in your medical history, and
The names of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Staying in touch with your dentist and other health providers to assist you in the treatment of your diabetes is important. Communication with your dentist is vital. Let your dentist know:
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes
If the disease is under control
If you take insulin, and when your last usual dose of insulin was administered
If there has been any other change in your medical history, and
The names of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs (even ‘natural’ medicines) you are taking

14. Diabetes and Oral Health
Your oral hygiene routine should include:
Brushing 2-3 times a day (whether real or replacement teeth)
Flossing once daily
Using toothpaste containing fluoride
Limiting sweets; and
Visiting your dentist regularly.
To help protect your teeth and gums against oral disease and maintain overall good health, your oral hygiene routine should consistently include: Brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day (whether they are real or replacement) and flossing once daily; using toothpaste containing fluoride; limiting sweets; and visiting your dentist regularly.

15. Diabetes and Oral Health
Summary
Your oral health and overall health are related, so talk to your dentist
Research shows that gum disease and diabetes can affect each other
Good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are important steps in preserving good health
Your oral health and overall health are related, so it’s important to talk to your dentist.
By monitoring any oral infections that affect your gums and jaw, your dentist may help detect signs of early onset diabetes.
Research shows that gum disease and diabetes can affect each other. For instance, gum disease can increase the severity of complications of diabetes by increasing blood sugars. The good news is that the treatment of either disease can lead to improvements in the other.
Good oral hygiene and regular exams by your dentist that include an examination of the entire mouth are important steps in preserving good health.

16. Diabetes and Oral Health?
THANK YOU.
Any questions?
The information which we have shared with you today has been provided to help you better understand the relationship between your oral health and your overall health.
I/we thank you for your attention and encourage everyone to practice proper oral hygiene techniques that include regular visits to your dentist.
On behalf of the XXX Component Society of the Ontario Dental Association, it has been my/our pleasure to provide you with this overview of important information relevant to diabetes and oral health.
If you have any questions, I/we will be happy to field them.

17. Diabetes and Oral Health: