Diabetic Dentistry.

Dr. Bruce Kanehl has been referred to as the Diabetic Dentist of Jacksonville, Florida. He has been very interested in the dental treatment of patients with diabetes for a number of years for very personal reasons.

When his youngest daughter, Jamie, was in the Eighth Grade, she entered the Florida State Science Fair. Guess what her project title was? Treatment of diabetes through ingestion of cinnamon by rats. She took care of 20 rats for a few months by feeding cinnamon to the rats. The results were startling. Their blood sugar levels dramatically lowered. Jamie was 2nd in the State of Florida with her project.

The Diabetic Treating Nurses of North Florida asked Dr. Bruce Kanehl to give them a lecture on how to treat Diabetic patients in the dental office. This was so well received that Dr. Kanehl and his team receive many referrals from them for treatment of their dental problems.

Treatment for dental patients with diabetes starts with prevention. These patients are more prone to periodontal disease (gum disease) and tooth decay due to the sugar levels and decreased tissue healing properties of the body. With proper prevention, these patients can experience the same degree of health of their mouth as those who don't have diabetes. The best continuing education course on prevention and non-surgical periodontal treatment is conducted in Phoenix, Arizona by Dr. Omer Reed. Dr. Reed has even visited the Kanehl Dental Office in Jacksonville. Our hygiene department has been superbly trained with Dr. Omer Reed's philosophy in the prevention and treatment of infections of the gum tissue of the mouth.

Are you aware of how sleep may impact your diabetes? Clinical studies have shown a link between Type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea is a common condition in which the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing a decreased airflow that stresses the heart and raises blood pressure. If untreated, this condition may worsen glucose control and insulin resistance, and lead to blood sugar imbalance.

Are you at risk for Sleep Apnea?

• Do you snore?
• Do you ever stop breathing during sleep?
• Do you feel sleepy during the day?
• Do you have a history of high blood pressure?

If you answered to two or more of these questions, talk with Dr. Bruce Kanehl.

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What are the benefits of treating OSA?

Clinical studies have shown that treatment of Sleep Apnea may:

• Prevent or delay the progression of diabetes
• Reduce diabetic complications
• Improve daytime energy and glucose control
• Reduce the potential risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease

Treatment of Sleep Apnea may be as simple as wearing an oral appliance, which is designed to give you a sound night of sleep. Visit our Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment section for more information.

Once prevention is properly practiced by the diabetic dental patient, there may be cavities or missing teeth that need to be dealt with. It is very important that these patients have teeth that don't hurt when chewing and that they have enough articulating teeth to chew the healthy foods prescribed by their nutritionist (We have a direct connection to the best diabetic nutritionists in Jacksonville). Restorative treatment may consist of a few small cavities being restored to full mouth rehabilitation using implants as a foundation.

Dr. Bruce Kanehl has been treating these situations since 1974 and will gladly discuss the many possible solutions to your situation so you can smile, talk and chew your food as you wish in a natural healthy manner.

Please contact Dr. Bruce Kanehl and his staff at (904) 731-2162 for a Free Consultation about how to achieve your dental dreams!