Nalini Ravichandran/ New Delhi Mail Today July 19, 2011

VERY SOON your dentist will be able to tell you whether you are a diabetic or not. A new study by Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine shows that periodontal or gum disease is an early indication of diabetes.

So if your gums are unhealthy, this may be a sign of diabetes or some other ailment totally disconnected from your oral health. The study has revealed that diabetes increases the risk for cavities, tooth loss and even oral infections.

” if you are a diabetic, poor oral hygiene can cause the blood sugar to rise, resulting in the need for more insulin,” Dr Anjana Satyajit, head of the dental care department at Artemis Health Institute, said.

According to health experts, oral healthcare is much more than just maintaining that beautiful smile, as many serious diseases are associated with poor oral hygiene.

For instance, if a patient does not respond to the dental course of treatment, then this may indicate a chronic ailment.

” A dentist can now diagnose far more serious health conditions which stretch beyond the mouth,” Dr Satyajit said.

From strokes, cardiovascular diseases to Alzheimer’s disease, your gums reveal a lot about your overall health.

Clogged arteries and strokes have also been linked to gum diseases. In fact, one of the first symptoms of AIDS could be a severe gum disease or a fungal infection of the mouth.

Not just that, pregnant women who have poor oral hygiene run the risk of premature delivery. ” Poor oral hygiene of the mother is linked to premature delivery, making it very important for would- be moms to ensure a good oral healthcare,” Dr Puneeth Ahuja, head of the dental care department at Balaji Action Medical Institute, said.

” even cancer, substance abuse and sexually transmitted disease can show up through bad oral conditions,” he added.

Pain in the upper teeth, pale- coloured tongue, and the condition of the lymph node can be indicative of cancer, tuberculosis, migraine and sinusitis, Dr Ahuja said.

Medical experts say healthy gums prevent bacteria in the mouth from entering into the blood stream. Bleeding gums, on the other hand, allow bacteria to enter into the blood circulation thereby causing various health complications.

Even the first stage of bone loss may actually show up in your teeth, with dentists linking osteoporosis to oral healthcare.

Poor oral healthcare is also indicative of a weak immune system, anaemia, gastrointestinal problems and even vitamin B12 deficiency. ” if a person suffers from frequent mouth ulcers without any apparent mouth infection, then this could signal a weak digestive system resulting from ulcerative colitis,” Delhi- based dentist Rakesh Malhotra said.

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Trench mouth is a severe case of gingivitis.  Gingivitis is an infection and inflammation of the gums due to plaque build-up and bacteria.  However, if the gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria grows out of control thus resulting in trench mouth.

Trench mouth was first diagnosed during World War I. During World War I, soldiers who were stuck fighting in the trenches were unable to maintain adequate oral hygiene thus resulting in gingivitis.  as their gingivitis worsened, the bacteria within their mouth grew out of control and developed into trench mouth. Trench mouth destroys and damages the delicate gum tissue that supports the teeth.  if the infection causing trench mouth is not cured the infection worsens, spreads, and causes large ulcers in the mouth.  these ulcers are filled with bacteria, food particles, and decaying gum tissue.  these ulcers also lead to severe pain in the mouth, ulcers in the mouth, as well as bad breath.

In the United States, there are not many cases of trench mouth.  However, trench mouth is very common in third world countries or new developing countries which have poor living conditions and poor nutrition.  For those in the United States that suffer from trench mouth it is commonly the result of poor oral hygiene, smoking, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and a lowered immune system.

For those that think they may be suffering from trench mouth, it is fairly easy to diagnose.  some of the most common signs and symptoms of trench mouth include:

• Severe gum pain
• Ulcers between the teeth and on the gums
• Bad breath
• Foul taste in the mouth
• Bleeding gums
• Red and/or swollen gums
• Pain when eating and/or swallowing
• Gray film on the gums
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes around the head, neck, and/or jaw