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carpe demi
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I know I know, this is a goofy idea. It struck me as kind of funny in a weird sort of way though so I thought I'd throw it out here. For people who are unlucky enough to have both diabetes and gum disease, and who are tired of sticking themselves to get a glucose reading, this toothbrush would save
them a prick or two. It would have a special bristle mixed in among the regular bristles that could sample the blood and show the glucose level on a display built into its handle. That way they get some benefit out of their bleeding gums. (Of course it would still be advisable to take care of that gingivitis problem at some point.)
non-invasive blood sugar monitoring devices
http://diabetes.nid...ubs/glucosemonitor/
for [UB] and other diabetics, life may get less messy soon... [ConsulFlaminicus, Oct 19 2004]
[link]
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<aside from the idea> Normal cleaning, flossing, toothpicks, brushing, should not produce any blood at all in healthy gums. If yours do, see a periodontist so that a course of corrective action can be taken. A little prevention goes a long way in gum disease whereas ignorance can be very costly. |
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Well, certainly nothing visible. I don't know about whether there should be absolutely no trace or not. I'll ask my friend who is a periodontist and see what she says but I think she'll say that any blood at all indicates inflammation. Some experts think that anything that stirs up the immune system in the tissue and bone structures surrounding the teeth is a primary contributor to tissue and bone loss. This is thought to be because the immune system, vigilantly fighting sustained inflammation over time, broadens its attack to include the tissue and bone. Calculus and other foreign materials in those pockets irritates the tissue and gets the immune system going. One of the oddest things about it is that the damage doesn't happen in a linear way. It appears to reach some sort of threshold and then a lot of damage happens in a short time, "explosively," in days and weeks, instead of the months and years that one might think it'd take for damage to occur. |
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You're certainly on the right track, [ls99]. [bris] is right about the gingivitis thing but the basis of the idea led me a little further. |
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The lining of the mouth heals 2 or 3 times faster than external skin. Taking a spot of blood from inside the mouth would be ideal, if you could keep other sugars out of it. Samples would be easily contaminated by unskilled users. |
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I am a diabetic and I have trouble getting blood from finger pricks. I have to prick the inside of my forearm and use a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure meter) cuff to get blood. As a consequence I get a lot of subcutaneous bruising on my arms, just to measure blood glucose levels. |
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[UB] Perhaps we should start referring to you as UnaTurnip. ;o) |
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As in the comparative adage, "harder than wringing blood from a turnip", or "You can't get blood from a turnip." |
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[UnaBubba] How often do you need to draw blood? |
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Every morning. Just a drop. |
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Ahh, the saying here goes, "Like blood from a stone." |
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Yes, we have that alternative saying, too...but there's nothing remotely humorous (or endearing) about "UnaStone". |
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Unless you lost the other one in a banjo accident. |
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... and lamented the loss of a perfectly good glass slipper. |
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Sorry UB is your idea to find a way of taking blood samples cleanly from the inside of the mouth? Sounds interesting. |
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Yes. It would be preferable to the damage one has to inflict on fingers and arms to get a regular drop of blood, IMO, as it heals quicker. |
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Any idea what sort of implement would do the job? Just a needle? |
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I hate going to the dentist, well at least when I have to get a cavity filled. I can't stand the needle. It like has to stay there for so long and it tastes funny. Well I think it has tastes, might be a side effect from the numbing. |
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But yeah this is a good idea. |
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Haven't thought about it. Maybe it would work if the analysis of blood content was done while a small probe was embedded in the inside of the cheek. |
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It could be as simple as a small clamp that you insert in the corner of your mouth for ten or so seconds. Once it beeps you detach it and take note of the reading. |
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That sounds much better than the stick-your-tongue-in-a-stapler version I had in my envisioned. |
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