Re: Dumb question about dental visit

Amy,
The procedure used is what determines your gum loss. The higher the number the more loss and probability of periodontal disease or gingivitis. When I had numbers around 5-7 in the back part of my mouth the dentist performed a minor surgery where he scraped the teeth and gums to remove damaged tissue and allow new growth. I would say you need to speak with your dentist and follow his/her guidance or prepare to loose teeth and have BG problems due to infection and complications.
I can also say for a fact that I had my numbers under control (5.7 to 6.5) until about a year ago and then they jumped to 7.5-9.0 for reasons unknown. I went to dentist and he was doing normal checks and found I had a dead root on a tooth (not both but one) and once we started the root canal the numbers started to come down. I have dropped since June 2006 from 8.2 to 5.8. My doctor feels I probably had infection or slight pain and it was increasing the numbers. I had also read about dental problems being a cause for unknown jumps.
I hope this helps.
Terry

amyky123 wrote:

So, I went to a dentist today for the first time in WAY TOO LONG.
Like, before I was dx'd as Type 2. Bad me, I know.. but I didn't have
dental insurance, and dentists scare me.
She did some test for bone loss, where she took a pick thing that
had measurements on it and stuck it into my gums around all my teeth.
She was calling out numbers to the assistant who was charting them.
I had mostly 1's and 2's, with a couple of 3's and one 4. The 4 was on
the tongue side of my back molar, and she said she thinks I just have
a lot of gum there.
What do the numbers mean? What is considered good/bad?
Also, she said that failing to maintain your teeth can lead to poor
blood glucose control. Is this just because of the risk of infection, or is
something else at work there?
Thanks!

Amy





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