April is Dental Health Month in Canada. This year's focus is on the links of dental disease to diabetes. Over 2 millioin Canadians, or one in fifteen people, are either already diabetic or on their way to becoming one. Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. 

Some of the most common oral health problems associated with diabetes are --tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, dry mouth, fungal infections, lesions in the mouth, taste impairment, infections and delayed healing.

The "Inside Story" part of  Chapter 8 of The Simple Secrets to Better Health is totally dedicated to diabetes. It explains how diabetes takes years to develop unlike infectious diseases that develop quickly. In fact, people at the most risk of diabetic damage to blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves are the ones who are diabetesing but don't know it yet. Your risk is easily identifiable. If you a male with a waist size over 40 inches or a female with a waist over 34.5 inches, you are at risk. You are aging 30% faster than your skinnier friends!

Early stages of diabetesing, known as pre-diabetes, are controllable and to some extent, reversible. The key is that only you can do it.

How are dental disease and diabetes related? Inflammation is the common link. The breakdown processes in periodontal disease, gingivitis and tooth decay are all due to the process of inflammation. It is this same inflammation that causes the damage to the blood vessels, eyes and kidneys of diabetics. In dental disease, oral bacteria are the irritant, while in diabetes the irritant is high levels of blood glucose and excess insulin over a prolonged period of time. Different irritants, but the same body response!!

Improving your dental health reduces the overall inflammatory stress on your system. Likewise, eating to manage your weight and control your blood sugar reduces inflammatory stress. Good dental health and minimizing diabetic risk go hand in hand.

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