America’s Hidden Diabetes Epidemic: The Devastating Link Between Missing Teeth and Disease
How clinics like Dr. Alex Einbinder’s Grace Dental Smiles can help stop the vicious cycle
WEST BABYLON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Diabetes rates are skyrocketing in America, with the CDC reporting over 37 million diagnosed cases and many more undiagnosed. But what’s driving this epidemic, and why is it disproportionately impacting the poor? An unexpected culprit is emerging: missing teeth. New research has uncovered a link between dental care and diabetes, specifically relating tooth loss with increased blood glucose levels and poorer diabetic control. A study in PLOS One divided diabetic patients into two groups – those with good chewing function, and those missing multiple teeth impacting their ability to properly chew food. The results were striking: the strong-chewing group had average glucose levels of 7.48, while the weak chewers averaged 9.42.
This difference highlights the critical role chewing plays in blood sugar regulation. When we can’t effectively break down food, our bodies struggle to properly absorb nutrients and maintain stable glucose levels. But unfortunately, pervasive dental issues make strong chewing a challenge for millions of Americans. Recent estimates find around 50% of adults are missing at least one tooth, with 25% missing all teeth in one arch. That’s nearly 180 million people at risk for impaired chewing function and, in turn, poorer diabetic control.
And who is disproportionately impacted by tooth loss? The poor. Adults in lower income households have the highest rates of missing teeth and other oral health issues. The reasons for this disparity are multifold, but one major factor is glaring: an inability to afford proper dental care. Unlike medical care, regular dental treatment is not covered by Medicaid for adults. And out-of-pocket costs for bridges, dentures, implants and other tooth replacements average thousands of dollars – well out of reach for low-income households.
Essentially, poverty causes tooth loss, and tooth loss exacerbates poverty by opening the door to diabetes and other diet-related diseases. It’s a vicious cycle that helps explain why diabetes prevalence among the poor is nearly double the national average. And why racial minorities face even higher risk, with Native Americans experiencing more than twice the diabetes rate of Caucasians.
“Unfortunately, it often all comes down to money,” says Dr. Alex Einbinder, an implant dentist working to increase access to affordable tooth replacements. “Insurance companies keep reimbursements low and coverage limited in order to pocket more profit. They exploit the system at the expense of patients and providers. I knew there had to be a better way.”
The “better way” Dr. Einbinder founded is Grace Dental Smiles, a clinic offering reduced-cost implants, financing plans, and personalized patient education. Their goal is making dental treatment attainable for lower-income patients, who have the most to gain from restored teeth. “Dental implants do more than restore smiles, they can enhance overall quality of life by restoring proper chewing function,” says Dr. Einbinder. “Good oral health isn’t just about appearance – it’s crucial for nutrition, heart health, diabetes control, and more.”
Research affirms this sentiment, showing long-term implant success and significant dietary improvements in patients after receiving tooth replacements. And improved chewing and nutrition pays dividends for diabetes management and other health conditions exacerbated by poverty and tooth loss. According to some, if measures are taken to rein in the diabetes epidemic, the poor and their teeth may be the best place to start. Because only by first correcting the imbalances and inequities in oral health access and outcomes can we hope to control chronic diseases plaguing America’s most vulnerable populations.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. By highlighting the insidious link between socioeconomic status, oral health and diabetes, steps can be taken to break the cycle. Many experts believe that policymakers should push to include regular dental coverage in Medicaid, insurance companies should re-examine dental reimbursement models, and innovative providers like Grace Dental Smiles exist to keep quality care affordable for a wider cross-section of patients.
ABOUT GRACE DENTAL SMILES
Grace Dental Smiles is a full-service dental office offering an array of dental services as well as cosmetic treatments. While they have all modern equipment and highly trained staff, they also offer affordable prices and accept almost all PPO dental insurances and can collaborate on multiple Dental Savings Plans options. Headed by highly skilled dentist and implant specialist Dr. Alex Einbinder, Grace Dental Smiles’ mission is to provide outstanding and individualized dental care to every patient, at every visit. Dr. Einbinder received his degree in Chemistry from Binghamton University, where he performed research alongside a Nobel Prize winner – and went on to receive his doctorate from Creighton University with advanced focus in Oral Surgery, sparking his interest in implants. For more information, visit www.gracedentalsmiles.com. For additional information, visit Grace Dental Smiles on Facebook and Instagram.
CONTACT:
Dr. Alex Einbinder
gracedentalsmilespc@gmail.com
(631) 406-4541
(631) 657-7347
SOURCE: Grace Dental Smiles
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