Diabetes

Periodontal Patient with Poor Diabetic Control Combined with Poor Home Care

The Challenge:

A periodontal patient of record is diagnosed with active periodontal disease. Therapy is needed to achieve a healthier oral state; however, the patient has uncontrolled diabetes and poor home care that may be contributing to the patient’s oral health status.

The Background:

Age: 48
Sex: Female
Medical History: Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease
Last Dental Exam: 3/6/19
Home Care: Not very diligent with homecare. Has PerioProtect^™ trays but does not use them regularly. Uses Peridex^™ daily. Patient does not floss regularly.
Chief Complaint: Bleeding gums
Other Notes: Blood sugars very high
Clinical Assessment: Inflammation with bleeding, moderate calculus build up.
Periodontal Assessment: Generalized 4-6mm pockets with bleeding on probing.
Medical Assessment: Uncontrolled diabetes

The Solution:

Date of Pre MyPerioPath^® (pre-therapy test): 11/19/2018
Periodontal Therapy: Scaling and root planing
Medical Therapy: Patient has nutritionist and diabetes counselor.
Systemic Antibiotic Use: Doxycycline 100 mg bid for 8 days
Home Care Instruction: PerioProtect trays, Peridex, CoQ10 and Vitamin D
Date of MyPerioProgress^® (post-therapy test): 1/24/2019

Additional comments: The Systemic Effects of Oral Pathogens, page two of the MyPerioPath report helped in educating the patient that there were several bacteria that could be complicating her diabetic control.

The Result:

After therapy and a period of time for healing, the MyPerioProgress post-therapy specimen was collected on 1/24/2019. Upon periodontal evaluation after therapy, the tissue appeared to be healthier. There was a dramatic reduction of calculus and decrease in bleeding on probing. The patient’s overall skin appearance was improved and she indicated better control of her blood sugars.

I learned that we need to use OralDNA tests more often, so we can have an objective measurement of what the therapy achieved. The patient appreciated seeing the more dramatic changes in the biofilm. She realizes her periodontal status is delicate and it can impact her overall health. We will continue to monitor her compliance and administer another MyPerioPath when her disease state relapses.

About the Author:

Carter joined the Dycus Dental team in 2018. She graduated from Tennessee State University in 2015 and served as the class secretary. She moved to Cookeville in 2018 from Macon, Georgia.

Carter loves her coworkers and the family atmosphere at our office. She enjoys giving specific care to each of our patients and has a positive attitude and a smile on her face every day!

Carter married her husband Tre in 2015. When she is not at the office she enjoys traveling, exercising, reading and watching Tennessee Tech football games.

Type II Diabetic and Periodontal Disease

The Challenge:

A Type II Diabetic patient, who has been a long term client, has uncontrolled periodontal disease and a history of not responding to previous periodontal treatment.

The Background:

Age: 73
Sex: F
Medical History: Type 2 Diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, kidney issues
Last Dental Exam: Sept 2017
Home Care: Patient has been on periodontal maintenance regimen
Chief Complaint: Bleeding gums, high blood glucose, overall in poor health and not feeling well
Other Notes: Nutritional - Patient states she is trying to control blood sugars, but they have been out of control
Clinical Assessment: Bleeding gums, advanced periodontal disease around #2, unopposed 7-8mm pocketing
Periodontal Assessment: Advanced periodontal disease
Medical Assessment: Uncontrolled diabetes

The Solution:

Date of Pre-MyPerioPath^® (pre-therapy test): 1/11/2018
Periodontal Therapy: Extraction #2, 4 quads of scaling and root planing, air flow polisher with glycine powder for biofilm reduction
Medical Therapy: Ongoing with primary physician
Systemic Antibiotic Use: Amoxicillin 500mg tid for 8-10 days AND Metronidazole 500mg bid for 8-10 days, depending on the severity of infection.
Home Care: ProBiora^® Pro-oral probiotics, Immune tabs from Hyperbiotics^®, Sonicare toothbrush
Other Notes: Patient declined Perioscience^® product.
Date of MyPerioProgress^® (post-therapy test): 4/17/2018 and 9/8/2018

Additional comments: Patient declined 3rd script of Metronidazole and Amoxicillin. Patient to continue with ProBiora Pro oral probiotics, Immune tabs and Sonicare usage as well as an improved diet and exercise routine. Patient has an appointment with her nephrologist soon and will consult on antibiotic usage. Patient will probably wait for 6 months for her next saliva test. Pt is very pleased with her results and how her general health has improved.

The Result:

At the 3 month evaluation including a MyPerioProgress the patient had improved but periodontal concerns still remained. A second round of systemic antibiotic was administered based on the second MyPerioPath results and a follow-up was scheduled. Following the second MyPerioProgress - total of three MyPerioPath tests performed 9 months after therapy, a 61% reduction of the total bacterial load was achieved. The patient is very pleased with her periodontal results and feels the zinc supplements have helped the blood sugar control. We have helped her achieve good periodontal health while helping her decrease health risks. Medically, the patient has seen great improvements. Her blood sugar is now 100-120 and she is working with her medical team to lower or eliminate some of her diabetic medicines. “The saliva testing has given us a great way to add science to the equations and give us quantitative results.”

About the Author:

Debbie Bickford RDH has been a practicing clinical hygienist since 1979. She has worked at Fremont Family Dentistry under Dr Susan Mauk’s wing for over 22 years. Recently her passion for excellent patient care reignited while working with coaches from Dental Hygiene Excellence (DHE). “ I’m doing more now for my patients now that I have a better understanding of the oral-systemic link and the role bacteria plays in dental and general health.” Debbie enjoys living on a lake, yoga, kayaking, and walking her dog. She and her husband Bruce have 2 children and 4 adorable grandchildren.

Uncontrolled Diabetic- Referred by Physician

The Challenge:

To find the source of her inflammation and infection. If the source is of a bacterial nature, then the goal is to reduce the bacteria. By reducing the bacterial load, the hope is to reduce or eliminate medications for diabetes and blood pressure. Please note: The patient accepts her responsibility for the decline in her overall health.

The Background:

Age: 41
Sex: Female
Medical History: Type II Diabetes, High BP, acid reflux
Family History: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer
Last Dental Exam: 2008
Home Care: Manual toothbrush
Chief Complaint: “My doctor said my uncontrolled diabetes could be caused by my mouth.”
Other Notes: Soda consumption
Clinical Assessment: Sub-gingival and supra-gingival calculus present, tissue inflamed and bulbous
Periodontal Assessment: Localized chronic, active periodontal disease, slight to moderate

The Solution:

Date of Pre MyPerioPath^® (pre-therapy test): 7/27/2017
Periodontal therapy: Level 5 Full mouth therapy performed. The “5 tip” cavitron method was incorporated with irrigation of water and chlorhexidine. Arestin^® was placed in pockets 5mm or greater.
Systemic Antibiotic Used: As indicated by the MyPerioPath results
Home Care: Sonicare toothbrush, Waterpik^™, ProBiora^® Pro-Dental Probiotic and Periosciences^® A.O Gel
Other Notes: Patient was placed on strict home care routine
Date of MyPerioProgress^® (post-therapy test): 10/19/2018

The Result:

Post therapy results were exciting for both the patient and myself. A major biofilm shift was noted with the reduction of the bacteria responsible for her inflammation. Reduction of pocket depth, bleeding and inflammation was noted. The patient was able to discontinue use of three diabetic medications, preventing the need for diabetic injections! The patient also stated losing 20 lbs., which has stabilized her blood pressure, and reported a pleasant reduction of acid reflux. My patient was thrilled with the overall results and has noticed a huge difference with the way her mouth looks and feels. Reflecting on this case, it is imperative to have all the information on which bacteria are causing the problem. Having the evidence, allows the clinician to tailor the treatment for each patient in order to target the cause and measure the effectiveness following treatment.

About the Author:

Mary Kay received her Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Cincinnati in 2001. She has been providing excellent care in general dentistry for the past 17 years. Her passion to educate patients on Oral Systemic Connections has been fueled with recent training by Dental Hygiene Excellence. Mary Kay is most passionate when educating her patients on periodontal disease, sleep apnea, and the benefits of healthy start for her younger patients. She loves the rewarding results that she shares, seeing medications reduced and overall health improving. Mary Kay is happiest spending weekends outdoors running, hiking, or boating with her husband and three boys. While indoors, she loves to cook healthy meals with her family (but will do pizza & wine night with the girls!) and she gets lost doing medical research. You can always find her starting conversations, making friends, and putting a positive spin on life.

Dental Hygienist with Type II Diabetes

The Challenge:

Knowing the scientific information that clearly confirms the bi-directional relationship with diabetes and periodontal disease, our goal is reduce the periodontal pathogens to improve the diabetic status.

The Background:

Age: 38
Sex: F
Medical History: Recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. See Nutrition Notes.
Family History: Type II Diabetes & Periodontal Disease
Last Dental Exam: 8 weeks ago
Home Care: Meticulous consisting of electric toothbrush 2x/day, flossing daily and waterpiking 1x/day
Nutrition Notes: Her physician agreed to her commitment to diet and lifestyle changes before considering medication to control her diabetes. These changes included regular exercise and eliminating sugar.
Chief Complaint: “When it comes to my diabetes, I know what to do, I just have to do it!” Also, the patient is a dental hygienist, she wants to know she is doing everything possible orally.
Periodontal Assessment: No bleeding on probing, scattered 4mm posterior areas of 1 mm recession, no visible inflammation and excellent plaque control. Grayish tissue color (most likely due to lack of circulation) with lack of stippling around crowns. Residual light calculus around crown margins. Radiographic evidence of posterior bone loss.

The Solution:

Date of Pre-MyPerioPath^® (pre-therapy test): 9/10/2015
Periodontal therapy: Removal of residual marginal calculus around crowns and complete biofilm disruption with ultrasonic slim line inserts, hand scaling with curettes and subgingival airpolish conducted in two appointments.
Systemic Antibiotic Used: No systemic antibiotics were administered due to patient wanting to see what her body could do first.
Lifestyle & Diet changes
Home Care: Remained the same
Date of MyPerioProgress^® (post-therapy test): 3/10/2016

The Result:

The periodontal changes were favorable; the color and texture of tissue presented healthy and the 4 mm pockets reduced to 3mm. The MyPerioPath^® post-therapy results (MyPerioProgress^®) showed a dramatic shift in the bacterial load. More importantly, when the patient presented to her medical doctor to evaluate her diabetic control, she had reversed her diagnosis. Her lab tests confirmed a normal A1C and blood glucose levels.

This patient is most grateful that she had the opportunity to test for periodontal pathogens and had a relatively simple treatment to eliminate the pathogens and positively influence her diabetic diagnosis! This case highlights the role of dental care with overall health, the need to comanage patients and the need for patient cooperation.

About the Author:

Jan Lazarus RDH, Certified Health Coach is known as a thought provoking speaker, influencer, consultant, trainer and internationally recognized pioneer in the field of comprehensive continuing education in Dentistry. As the owner and President of JP Consultants Institute, Jan has developed life changing curriculum for patients, dentists, hygienists and dental teams. Programs have included custom agendas for private in-office training, train the trainer for consultants, coaches, speakers, and large Dental Corporations. The key foundational element of all of their programs since 1979 has been the understanding that the mouth is a “window” to overall health of the body. As a board member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health she is part of an organization of health care leaders and scientists dedicated to expanding awareness of the relationship between oral health and whole body health. “Communicate from your heart and speak the truth”