Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent disease that impacts the oral cavity far more than most individuals might know. Oral hygiene for many is a chore, and not an enjoyable task. Dental professionals recognize the importance of oral hygiene and it’s correlation to overall health. If good oral hygiene is crucial and of great importance for individuals who are perfectly healthy, that can only indicate that oral hygiene is critical for those who are not as privileged with their health. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are forced to change their eating habits, adhere to proper medication intake, and essentially change their lifestyle. It is important as dental professionals to understand, educate and accommodate individuals that live with type 2 diabetes.
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Of patients in the United States, 90-95% have type 2 disease” (p. 219). Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally either have relative insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. Individuals with this disease are not equally as capable of fighting off infection, and have a much longer healing time. Once an infection is established, their ability to fight off that infection is drastically decreased. This is why oral disease prevention is vital with individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes. Once a patient has periodontal disease, the only thing that can be done is arrest the disease. It is far more difficult to fight off that disease and have diabetes. The job of a hygienist is to prevent infection even before it begins, especially with a type 2 …show more content…
Informing the patient that monitoring their carbohydrate intake, restricting alcohol consumption, watching their sodium intake, and reaching an ideal body weight are all ways that can help control their disease, in itself should be enough motivation for the patient. “Because carbohydrates turn into glucose in your body, they affect your blood glucose level more than other foods do” (2017, April 18). Eliel has a simple diet he tries to follow. Eliel tries to avoid or minimize sugary foods, bread and starches like potatoes and rice. When he does eat rice, he will chose brown rice over white rice. If he craves sweets he will satisfy his craving with fruit. Diet is important for controlling type 2 diabetes, but drug therapy is also needed. “There are four classes of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes: insulin sensitizers, insulin secretagogues, drugs that slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut, and incretins” (Little, 2013 p. 230). Eliel currently takes Metformin oral, 850mg twice a day, one pill after breakfast and after dinner. The way Metformin works is by decreasing the production of glucose, while it improves insulin sensitivity. This drug would fall into the insulin sensitizer category. Metformin gives his body the balance he needs to function on a daily basis, and allows him to have normal treatments without
Of patients in the United States, 90-95% have type 2 disease” (p. 219). Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally either have relative insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. Individuals with this disease are not equally as capable of fighting off infection, and have a much longer healing time. Once an infection is established, their ability to fight off that infection is drastically decreased. This is why oral disease prevention is vital with individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes. Once a patient has periodontal disease, the only thing that can be done is arrest the disease. It is far more difficult to fight off that disease and have diabetes. The job of a hygienist is to prevent infection even before it begins, especially with a type 2 …show more content…
Informing the patient that monitoring their carbohydrate intake, restricting alcohol consumption, watching their sodium intake, and reaching an ideal body weight are all ways that can help control their disease, in itself should be enough motivation for the patient. “Because carbohydrates turn into glucose in your body, they affect your blood glucose level more than other foods do” (2017, April 18). Eliel has a simple diet he tries to follow. Eliel tries to avoid or minimize sugary foods, bread and starches like potatoes and rice. When he does eat rice, he will chose brown rice over white rice. If he craves sweets he will satisfy his craving with fruit. Diet is important for controlling type 2 diabetes, but drug therapy is also needed. “There are four classes of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes: insulin sensitizers, insulin secretagogues, drugs that slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut, and incretins” (Little, 2013 p. 230). Eliel currently takes Metformin oral, 850mg twice a day, one pill after breakfast and after dinner. The way Metformin works is by decreasing the production of glucose, while it improves insulin sensitivity. This drug would fall into the insulin sensitizer category. Metformin gives his body the balance he needs to function on a daily basis, and allows him to have normal treatments without