Bad teeth raising blood sugar?

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MaryB & Chester

MaryB & Chester

Member Since 2012
Chester's had a couple of bad teeth since he was diagnosed with diabetes. The doctor didn't seem too concerned about them and said we could schedule a dental after we got his BG regulated. Well, Chester still isn't solidly regulated, but he lost another, different tooth on Monday.

We aren't too happy with the vet I have anyways...So we have an appointment with a different vet for a pre-dental checkup on Saturday. While I was talking with the other vet's receptionist, I mentioned that Chester was diabetic and she said that the bad teeth could be complicating his diabetes by elevating his blood sugar.

Is this so?
Could you send me any links you have about this? I'd like to pass that kind of information along to my husband, and professional sources are always more "credible" than "the people on the internet said". He is coming to understand that you guys really do know what you're talking about (and that my vet may not really be all that great). It helps. We're discussing that we can probably manage Chester's dosing as well as this vet has been able to.

Thank you!
 
Infection is notorious for raising glucose levels. You may be unable to regulate him without doing a dental.

IF his mouth is not painful, starting to brush the teeth may help. Don't touch it if painful, or you'll never get him to accept it. See Cat Info for more info - there's a video there, too.
 
Charlie has bad gum disease and I didn't even notice! The vet also told me the infection is bad and related to diabetes. We are going to have to pull some teeth in a few months as he has been showing that he is in pain. I'm hoping this may help him a little. All I've seen is that infection raises BG levels...I'm going to look into it too.
 
The new vet's receptionist is on target. Any infection or inflammation (e.g., gingivitis) can raise BG numbers. There have been a number of cats who came out of remission due to dental problems. I can't lay my hands on any research at the moment but it's pretty common knowledge that any form of stress, including environmental stress or the physical stress of infection/inflammation, causes the body to release corticosteroids. These hormones raise BG numbers.

It always amazes me that a vet will tell you to wait until a cat is regulated before getting a dental done. BJ is correct -- without the dental, you cat may not get regulated. My cat has had several dentals since she was diagnosed and there has never been any problem.
 
Here are 2 research abstracts

Abstract from Am J Med. 1982 Mar;72(3):439-50.
Infection and diabetes: the case for glucose control.
...it is well known that acute infections lead to difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels...
Click to expand...

Abstract from FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 1999 Dec;26(3-4):259-65.
Immune dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).
...better regulation of the DM leads to an improvement...
Click to expand...
in the immune responses which manage infection.
 
Here's an article written by a vet that might help:

  • As well, periodontal disease may contribute to or increase the risk of many serious diseases, including the following.
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Diabetes mellitus (frequently referred to simply as diabetes) in cats and dogs.
  • Infection of the heart, lungs, or kidneys
  • Heart failure in cats and dogs.
  • Cancer
  • Arthritis and spinal diseases
Click to expand...
 
Has anyone here fed raw gizzards as a "dental treat"? I've never tried it but I'm curious if it works. I've tried the Greenies treats before, and my Munchkin just swallows them almost whole. I think he tries to eat them as fast as possible so he can steal them from the other kitties who eat slower.
 
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