February 8, 2001
Complications
Question from San Antonio, Texas, USA:
My 11 year old step-daughter was diagnosed with type�1 diabetes about 11 months ago. Prior to being diagnosed, she had some extensive dental work consisting of a root canal at age nine along with two cavities. At her most recent dental check-up she needs to have three more cavities filled and a crown. She has poor dental hygiene, however her family insists she has these problems are due to her diabetes. Her hemoglobin A1c was 14% and is now at 7%. Can diabetes cause dental complications?
Answer:
Your step-daughter’s problems are most likely primarily due to poor oral hygiene. Many kids drink pop, and this is being found as the most common instigator of dental decay in young children these days. I would institute rigorous oral hygiene measures and topical fluoride treatments (stannous fluoride gel-OTC) daily. Brushing should be approximately two to three minutes, three times daily. Use the fluoride gel just before bedtime. Twice a year cleanings and examinations are needed. Start with this first. Her type�1 diabetes appears to be more under control. Poor control equals dental problems.
FV
