Medications Plus Dental Materials May Equal Infection For Diabetic Patients

People who live with
diabetes on a daily basis are usually instructed to eat right, maintain
regular physical activity, and if necessary, take medication. What many may
not know is that these medications that help control healthy insulin levels
may lead to unexpected events at the dentist's office. According to a study
in the November/December 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGD's
clinical, peer-reviewed journal, diabetic patients especially need to
communicate special needs to their dentists. This is due to harmful
interactions that could occur because of the materials and medications used
at dental appointments.


According to the study, more than 194 million people worldwide have
diabetes, and health officials estimate that this figure will double or
triple in less than 20 years. "It is imperative that diabetic patients
inform their dentist of their needs in order to anticipate medication
interactions and physical reactions to treatment," says Lee Shackelford,
DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. "The doctor must know if the patient
is taking insulin, and has taken their daily dose of insulin, in order to
anticipate the length of the appointment."



It does not stop, however, with diabetic patients; providing dentists
with as much information as possible about current medications is essential
for everyone's oral health. "It is important that your dentist is aware of
all of the medications that you are taking, including prescription drugs,
over-the-counter medications, and herbal drugs as they may interact with
agents that your dentist may use for your dental treatment," advises lead
author of the study, James Little, DMD, MS.



"Talk with your dentist if you are concerned about how the medications
you are taking could affect your oral health," advises Dr. Shackelford.
"Open communication is the best way to ensure that your dentist gives you
the best treatment possible."



Steps diabetic patients can take to ensure optimal dental care:



-- Find a dentist who is aware of the needs of diabetic patients.



-- See the dentist on a regular basis and alert him or her of any
changes in health status and medications.



-- Inform the dentist of any sores, swellings, or areas of redness in
the mouth, as well as any painful areas in the mouth.



-- Eat a normal meal prior to the dental appointment, take all diabetic
medications on schedule, bringing a blood sugar monitoring device to the
appointment, and inform the dentist if symptoms associated with low blood
sugar are felt.



The AGD is a professional association of more than 35,000 general
dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through
continuing education. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the
world's second largest dental association, which is the only association
that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists.



More than 772,000 persons are employed directly in the field of general
dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of
all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and
overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs.


Academy of General Dentistry

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