WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-How dentists help diagnose diabetes

August 24, 2011

Adair Sheffer's recent trip to the dentist revealed more than swollen gums. She was on her way to getting full-blown diabetes.

"I was shocked, because like a week before, I went to my physician and did a thorough examination, and everything was fine," she said.

Sheffer is a dental assistant at Columbia University's College of Dental Medicine and took part in a recent study there. Out of the 500 people examined, more than one-third had either diabetes or pre-diabetes. Researchers were able to identify most cases just by looking at the number of missing teeth in a patient's mouth and the amount of space between the gums and roots of the teeth.

Research has shown that diabetes often makes gum disease worse, and gum disease can also make it harder for diabetics to control their blood sugar.

It's not just diabetes. There's mounting evidence that poor oral health may be connected to a higher risk of other serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.

"The dentist may be the first health care provider that sees these changes in the mouth," said Evanthia Lalla of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

That would give patients like Sheffer more time to turn things around.

"Now I can prevent becoming a diabetic person, if I keep up my exercise and my diet," Sheffer said.

She's now eating sugar-free foods and working out regularly.

That study was published in the Journal of Dental Research.

CBS News