Interviewer: Diabetics and the dentist are linked more closely than most folks realize. Dr. Charles Martin joins us this morning to explain why diabetics and prediabetics can have a harder time with their teeth and gums. Welcome sir.
Dr. Charles Martin: Thanks.
Interviewer: Good to have you back. Let us talk about this for a second. The link between the diabetics and the people with their teeth. Why is diabetes so bad on people’s teeth?
Dr. Charles Martin: Well, the key concept here is infection. So, anyone who is diabetic is more likely to get an infection. Many people, in fact a large majority off the population has chronic low grade infection with their teeth. They do not even know that they got them, so the concept here is infection. And, here is a thing about it, if you are diabetic, you are more likely to get infection, and it is harder to treat. If you have dental problems, it is harder to treat, because you are diabetic, so it is a close loop. If you are diabetic, both condition worst, if you both conditions is bad, it makes your diabetic condition harder to control. And, for the diabetic is the management of that chronic problem, that is the key to the quality of life.
Interviewer: So, does the dentist have to work with the doctor of a diabetic? Or, you pretty much with the procedure?
Dr. Charles Martin: Often times we will have to have an awareness of what the diabetics’ numbers are, for example. Their blood sugar level, and what is their A-1-C, which is a measure, long term of what their blood sugar level is.
Interviewer: Okay, I met this term a couple of times, it was in the script there, when we are leaving up to talking to you about prediabetic. Well, if you do not have diabetics, if you do not suffer from diabetes now, are we all prediabetics?
Dr. Charles Martin: No, we are not all prediabetic, but the disease is not all fun switch. It is continuum, so if you are overweight, you are more like to become diabetic as an adult. That is adult onset diabetic condition, Type II Diabetes. And, the thing about that is that if you have dental problems, chronic low grade infections. And, not only are you creating problems for yourselves with potential diabetes. Particularly, if there is a family history of it. But, you are also creating a number of other problems, so it is a chronic infection that is a problem that creates other conditions in the body. So, prediabetic needs special attention too.
Interviewer: Alright, let us talk about this--because I am getting the feel that if you are a diabetic or prediabetic, maybe you need to see the dentist more than the general public, is that true? Is that one of the thing?
Dr. Charles Martin: Well, it is and the thing about it is typically a diabetic, in particular, will only have little problems. A prediabetic may not have dental problems right now, but it is important to be paid attention, to help prevent that diabetic condition from coming on. There are certain things that can be done. One is--
Interviewer: We are going to pop a picture up here. This is one of your famous Dr. Martin before and after the photographs. Tell us about this, really quick.
Dr. Charles Martin: Yes, this was a gentleman who really wanted to have a different look, different smile, and for him it was important for his career, in working with clients to look his best, so we did some small work.
Interviewer: Wow! And then, there is a bid difference there. I am sorry I interrupt you.
Dr. Charles Martin: No problem.
Interviewer: Let us wrap it up here for people seeing the dentist more often.
Dr. Charles Martin: I am part of a national group that does--dentist do pays special attention to people who are diabetic. And, it is important to find a dentist who is going to work with you, help understand the problems that a diabetic faces and then, create a plan that makes sense for you, as far as keeping--do them their health in place, and smile where you wanted.
Interviewer: It is something that can be handled and--
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