"I can tell you that chronic alcohol and tobacco use are associated
with
periodontitis, but have no reason to believe this is due to abnormal
pancreatic function."

Reply.  Exactly my point. The cause-effect relationship has not been
established, at least as far as I know (but I have not studied this)

Point. If there is a correlation with periodontitis, this may not be
due to poor pancreatic function, but rather,  the bad habits that cause
poor pancreatic fucntion.

Re: Diabetes. I do not know the etiological  relationship of diabetes
and periodontitis. I just know there is an association.

Hypotheses only:

We know that circulation is impaired and diabetics have a higher
propensity for infection... so maybe this also affects healthy
circulation to the gums? (More prone to bacteria infection)

We know that diabetics have poorer glycemic control and perhaps this
affects the gums? (more prone to tooth decay and this leads to gum
disease)

***************************************************

These are wild guesses.  I am only curious.

Sound plausible at all?

Thanks,
Sue

I just found this link.  This explains how diabetes may adversely
affect gum health

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_diabetes/oral.cfm

-Sue

Sue,

You are the first person, more or less, that gives any credibility to what I
write about crohns.
It is simply a misunderstood situation that can and does happen to millions
of people here and other parts of the world.     And if a person finds that
it is a helpful message, very seldom do they acknowledge it.   And the
research involves billions of dollars.    Talking to someone at Northwestern
University saying that it is genetic, is exactly how little is known.
That is such an impossible cause to crohns.     The dentist did clean my
teeth at the time, but I have tried to steer the illness in another
direction, by drinking skim milk and taking calcium.   However, I do not
wish to tell this person what to do as everyone must find what works best
for them.    So variable are the symptoms and workings of crohns.    It
would be of benefit if the person relates to this (after ruling out any
organic illness) to detach their self from anyone on stimulants.    It is
sad, that we must drop friendships for this strange reason.     On upon one
examination, I was found to have a trace of diabetes.    Fortunately that
was not the case upon further testing.    But this is an example of what can
happen when under the influence of stimulants.     The enormity and
ignorance of the problem is something that no one wishes to even understand.
It is just an illness that makes no sense, and some of the treatments they
come up with make as little sense.     Or at least in the complexity.
Remicade is a favorite treatment, a $5,000 to $10,000 process.    Some
medications are bound to help, but nothing can take the place of awareness.
It will continue to be an escalating problem until someone can figure it out
and be a better messenger than I.      I am sorry this person's problem is
periodontitis, that is one of the difficult symptoms.    Regular cleanings
will  help, but as you say, Sue, Vitamin D and calcium is necessary unless
the diet is so good as to make up for its lack.    I think this subject is
not entirely correct for this newsgroup.    In fact, I don't know where
there is an audience for this subject.    Even people with crohns reject it.
The dentist can only treat what he sees, I don't think the underlying
factors are known to them.
Some people never have  heard of crohns so it is really not a mainstream
illness.     I keep wondering if it is even taught in medical school.
Out of necessity the GI physician must become familiar with it.     The
dentists have no reason to think along these lines.
Talk about a saviour, this condition desperately needs one.
Gail