08 Generations

Smiles
issue
nov ‘22
of
Oral Health Means Better Health
At Every Age and Every Stage

Dentists, Doctors And Diabetes:

The Data Is In
Quality care
from sea to
shining sea.
Diagnosing Diabetes from the Dentist Chair
People with untreated diabetes are up to three times more likely to develop
gum disease. And untreated gum disease can lead to oral infections, which
can increase blood glucose (blood sugar) levels and in turn aggravate, you
guessed it, diabetes. What a vicious cycle!

So, how do we break the cycle and who do we ask for help? When it comes
to the Mouth-Body Connection®, a team approach works best. If you and
your primary doctor are key players, then your Smile Generation®-trusted
dentist is the MVP.

More than 37 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and around 70%
of people over 65 have gum infections. Oftentimes, these conditions go
undiagnosed and untreated. That’s why Smile Generation-trusted offices
provide testing to determine if you are at risk for having diabetes. This
screening will give you an opportunity to choose a preventative and
proactive approach to your overall health.

Periodontal disease causes breakdown of the gum tissue and bone. Creating
pockets for bacterial infections. These infections have been linked to
diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease and even Alzheimer’s. This is one
reason why regular dental visits are so important.

Caring for your overall health can start in the dental office. Together – you, your
doctor, and your dental hygienist – make a powerful team. And that’s something
to smile about.

Until next time,

Carolyn Ghazal, DDS

 G e n era
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Keep
smiling!
It makes
others feel
good!
Contents
Diabetes and Oral Health page 06
Find out how diabetes can have negative effects on
your mouth, including periodontal disease, tooth
loss and more.

Gratitude page 08
Gratitude can have a greater impact on your
health than you may have realized—learn.

Do you know your OQ? page 09

Your oral health quotient (OQ) could have a
big impact on your overall health. Take the test
and learn how a healthier future starts with a
healthy mouth!

The Worst Foods for Your Teeth and Diabetes page 10

Some foods and drinks are bad for your teeth and
gums. Some are detrimental to your diabetes.
Which ones are bad for both?

The Best Foods for Both Your Teeth and Diabetes page 14
Find the foods that do a favor for your teeth
and diabetes.

Take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test page 17

In as little as 60 seconds, you can learn your risk
and what you can do to prevent or delay the onset
of type 2 diabetes.

The Importance of Dental-Medical Integration page 18

Find out why Smile Generation-trusted dental
practices believe dental care should take into
account whole-health considerations.

Smile Stories: Eddie’s story page 20

Meet Eddie, an inspiring friend and patient at
The PDS Foundation® Dentists for Special Needs.
 Diabetes
and
Oral Health

6
 ?
What is the relationship between
diabetes and oral health?
True or False?
People with diabetes are at increased risk of
developing serious oral health issues, such as
periodontitis and tooth loss.

If you chose “True”, smile: you’re a

winner! If not, it’s time to brush up
on the latest research about diabetes
and oral health.

Dentists are starting to offer blood

sugar screening tests and even tests
that analyze the bacteria in your
mouth. The results of these tests
may indicate additional treatment or
care is required. These tests can tip
off your dentist to new or worsening
diabetes – so that you can get the
help you need.
The website of the American Diabetes
Association®’s promotes the dentist’s
role in overall health:
Did you know that it’s possible for
your dentist to refer you to your
doctor to get screened for prediabetes
or type 2 diabetes? A study published
recently in BMJ Open Diabetes
Research & Care found that nearly 1 in
5 people with severe gum disease had
type 2 diabetes and didn’t know it.
"Dental practices that offer saliva
and blood tests find that patients
appreciate being put in the drivers’
seat when it comes to their overall
health,” said Dr. Deepika Dhama, a
dentist based in Corona, Calif.
“When I talk to them about their
blood sugar, I see lightbulbs going off.
They realize, ‘Oh, maybe that infection
in my mouth could be causing my
blood sugar to be high,’” she said.
“Then patients get their cleaning and
say, ‘I feel so much better now that
the bacteria is gone.’ They are really
understanding the connection and the
value of dental care.”

7
Gratitude.
It does a body good
and can even help with diabetes.

You probably know that gratitude has reported that optimizing

can have a great effect on emotional
well-being. But did you know it could
impact your physical well-being
too? The key link appears to lie in
a good night’s sleep. And the key
to that? Gratitude!1
The link also extends to diabetes
management. Simply put: more
gratitude = better sleep = better
self-care, which is a critical part
of managing diabetes. The CDC
sleep duration and quality may
help improve blood glucose
management in persons with type
2 diabetes.2
As it turns out, gratitude does a
body good in more ways than one!
More Gratitude
=Better Sleep
= Better Self-Care

8
Colgate-Palmolive

The most common You may know your IQ or your

EQ, but do you Know Your OQ™?
disease in the world Take Colgate's free 10 question
is right under our assessment to determine your oral
health quotient. In just 2–3 minutes,
nose — cavities. you'll know your OQ score and be on
your way to a healthier future.

Take the quiz

9
 The Worst
Foods for
Your Teeth
and Diabetes

What we consume daily for food

and drink has an immense effect on
our bodies.
As a benefit, food gives us nutrients and energy to help
our bodies get through our daily lives.

But the opposite is also true. Food and drinks that are bad
for us can negatively impact our whole health, including
our bodies, heart, liver and more.

It’s even true for our mouths. We largely know about

food that’s bad for your teeth and gums. And we largely
know about the food and drinks that affect your blood
glucose management.

But which food and drinks are bad for both? We tried
to break it down and identify some of the eats that may
be harmful to your mouth – especially if you’re at risk
for diabetes.

10
 Soda
Really, it’s any sugary
drink (including juices,
sports drinks and energy
drinks), but soda can do
the most damage. The
drink is not only acidic,
but the sugar leads to
cavities and erodes your
teeth. On the diabetes
side, the sugar and
fructose found in soda
can lead to weight gain,
that can lead to insulin
resistance which can
cause higher blood
glucose levels.

Snack Foods
Snacks such as pretzels
and crackers are often
highly processed foods
that contain refined
flour, which contain high
amounts of carbs and
can quickly raise blood
sugar. Furthermore, some
studies have linked these
refined carbohydrates to
inflammation that could
worsen gingivitis and
periodontitis.

11
 Sugary
Desserts
Similar to soda, the
reason is sugar, sugar,
sugar. Cakes, cookies,
pies, candy all have a lot
of sugar, which makes it
difficult for your saliva
to wash it away. Thus,
that’s how cavities and
tooth decay can set in.
Eating too much of these
high-carb sweets can
lead to high blood glucose,
which puts you at risk
for the complications
of diabetes.

Dried Fruits
Dried fruit may seem like a
healthy choice, but the loss
of water leads to a higher
concentration of sugar and
carbohydrates. For example,
raisins contain more than
four times as many carbs
as grapes do. Because dried
fruit is often sticky, that high
amount of sugar can stay on
your teeth and in your mouth,
leading to tooth erosion.

12
 White Carbs
Starchy carbs found in
white bread and white
rice was associated with
a higher risk of cavities.
Eating too much these
breads, rice and pastas
have also been shown to
significantly increase blood
sugar levels in people with
type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

If you can give up or

significantly limit the
amount of those items
going into your mouth,
it will positively impact
your health.
And no matter what you eat or drink, make sure
that you’re brushing at least twice a day, flossing
and seeing your dentist regularly. Let your dentist
know if you have any dental problems or if you
have diabetes.

Because while sugar is sweet, it may sour your

smile and health.

13
 BEST FOODS
for
BOTH YOUR
TEETH
and
DIABETES

14
Broccoli: Loaded with vitamins
and minerals such as folic acid,
potassium and Vitamins C & K.
It also is an excellent source of
fiber and like most non-starchy
vegetables is low in carbohydrate.

Eggs: An excellent source of high

quality protein as well as an important
source of vitamins and minerals.
Eggs also contain lutein, a compound
that has beneficial effects on eye
health. The egg yolk is a source of
cholesterol, so check with your health
care provider on the recommended
amounts if you have heart disease.

Citrus fruits: Fruits are a great source

of vitamins and fiber. Citrus fruits such
as oranges or grapefruit are high in
vitamin C. Fruits such as strawberries
and blueberries contain antioxidants
which help fight inflammation.

Almonds: Almonds are rich in

vitamin E and magnesium and
potassium. They are also high
in fiber and a good source of
healthy fat.

15
 I took a
step into a
healthy future.
It started with
a simple test.
smilegeneration.com/mbc/diabetes

16
 Both diabetes and gum disease are linked to high blood glucose
(blood sugar) levels, diet and inflammation. That is why getting a handle
on oral health can make a significant impact on a person's diabetes
management. The key to prevention is knowing your risk. Learn your risk
by completing the free 60-Second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test below.

Take the Risk Test

In as little as 60 seconds, you can learn your risk and what
you can do to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Start Now

17
 he
od a
Go

lth
.
ar
st

re
ts he

The
Importance of
Dental-Medical
Integration
Medical Dental

18
When a patient sees a cardiologist,
neurologist or other medical specialist,
the doctor will take their overall health
into consideration. But when a patient
sees their dentist, that’s not always the
case. Why?
Smile Generation®-trusted dental practices believe dental care
should be given the same whole-health consideration and is using
the latest proven technology to make it happen.

All Smile Generation-trusted dental practices are now on Epic, the

most widely used comprehensive electronic health records system
in the United States. Since most hospital- and group-affiliated med-
ical providers also use Epic, your dentist can now easily exchange
relevant health data with your medical providers. And that benefits
everyone:
• It helps dental and medical professionals provide more
predictive and preventive care, identifying conditions like
diabetes or cardiovascular disease earlier.
• It lets patients view your medical and dental health records
all in one place and easily communicate with doctors and
dentists, schedule appointments, request prescription
refills and more.

Your smile matters to Smile Generation-trusted dentists.

And guess what? The rest of your body does, too!

19
 S
SmileT O R I E S

Meet Eddie!
And find out how he found a dental home.
One of the biggest challenges facing the 52 million
people in the U.S. with a disability is simply finding
a good, local dentist. See how Eddie’s beating the
odds and inspiring us all.
Healthie
Happi
Generations
of
Smiles
A Smile Generation Magazine

LET'S DO THIS AGAIN!

The Smile Generation exists to connect you with trusted
dentists in your area and to offer education on the critical
link between oral and overall health. We’d love to know
what you think of our magazine.

DROP US A NOTE!

21
Sources
Diagnosing Diabetes from the Dentist Chair

1. Periodontitis And Diabetes: A Two-Way Relationship, National Library of

Medicine, Diabetologia, 2012

The Worst Foods For Both Your Teeth and Your Diabetes

1. 7 Foods That May Damage Your Teeth, Healthline.com, July 20, 2021
2. 11 Foods And Drinks To Avoid With Diabetes, Healthline.com,
September 24, 2020
3. Ibid
4. An Oral Health Optimized Diet Can Reduce Gingival And Periodontal
Inflammation In Humans - A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study, National
Library of Medicine, BMC Oral Health, July 26, 2016
5. Diabetic Diet, Medline Plus
6. 11 Foods And Drinks To Avoid With Diabetes, Healthline.com,
September 24, 2020
7. Dried Fruit and Dental Health, National Library of Medicine, July 14, 2016
8. The Consumption Of Processed Sugar- And Starch-Containing Foods,
And Dental Caries: A Systematic Review, National Library of Medicine,
November 6, 2020
9. 11 Foods And Drinks To Avoid With Diabetes, Healthline.com,
September 24, 2020

22
Best Foods for Both Your Teeth and Diabetes

1. Fullonbuzz

Pop Quiz: What is the Relationship Between Diabetes

and Oral Health?

1. Diabetes And Oral Health, American Diabetes Association

2. How Do You Speak Metabolic Health/Diabetes And Periodontal Disease
To Your Patients?, Trends In Salivary Testing
3. The Variations of Some Salivary Parameters as Probable Indices of the
Hereditary Diabetes, National Library of Medicine, January 15, 2019
4. Oral Fluid Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 As A Diagnostic Tool In
Chronic Periodontitis, Dovepress

Gratitude
1. Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, Can, Gratitude
Improve Health?
2. CDC.Gov, Sleep and Chronic Disease

23
 B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y

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