H Charles Jelinek Jr DDS March 2019

Dental Connections

THE LINKS BETWEEN DIABETES AND YOUR TEETH

Your teeth are powerful little tools that do more than just help you enjoy your favorite foods; they can also show signs of life-threatening conditions. Digestive issues, chemical imbalances, and allergic reactions can all produce symptoms in your teeth and gums, but diabetes is one of the most apparent conditions to appear in your mouth. Studies have shown a very strong link between people having severe sleep apnea and diabetes. Some state that if you have severe sleep apnea, you are at a substantial risk for developing diabetes. Tooth decay and dental problems can be a symptom of diabetes. According to the American Dental Association, 1 in 5 cases of total tooth loss can be linked to diabetes. With a diabetes diagnosis, patients often have trouble creating enough saliva. This can lead to a dry mouth and plaque build-up, which can ultimately cause bad breath and gum diseases, especially if patients ignore routine care and treatment. Additionally, patients with diabetes are predisposed to developing periodontal disease, which is classified as an infection of the structures that surround your teeth. This can include your gums and the bones that keep your teeth in place. People with diabetes struggle with poor blood sugar, which impacts the health of their gums. In fact, the American Dental Association estimates that 22 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes also have periodontal disease.

Your mouth can clue you and your doctor in to a diagnosis. If you have a higher rate of cavities, your body may be telling you that you cannot produce enough saliva to properly clean what brushing misses. If your mouth is susceptible to infections or you have problems tasting food, diabetes could be to blame, too.

Healthy habits that mitigate the effects of your diabetes can also work wonders for your mouth. Not using tobacco, having a healthy diet, improving your exercise routine, and seeing your dentist regularly are some of the best ways you can foster a healthier body and smile.

Your mouth is one of the most important components to your health, so monitoring it and practicing healthy habits will keep both your smile and your body feeling fresh and focused. Learn more about how H. Charles Jelinek, Jr., DDS can help you by visiting NorthernVirginiaDental.com.

Homemade Corned Beef

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate) 1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces

Sudoku

2 pounds ice

1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 small onion, quartered

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 large carrot, coarsely chopped 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

2 quarts water

8 cloves garlic

1 cup kosher salt

8 whole allspice berries

1/2 cup brown sugar

12 whole juniper berries

2 bay leaves, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.

Solution on pg. 4

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