Diabetics More Likely to have Periodontal Disease

Posted on October 19th, 2009 | In Word Of Mouth

It is important for close medical and dental management of diabetic status. People with insulin resistance are at greater risk for developing periodontal disease.

Diabetics More Likely to have Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the “sixth” complication of diabetes

Gum disease is an infection condition that creates a localized area of inflammation around teeth. Diabetics are more likely to have gum disease than are non-diabetics (1). The risk is compounded for those people whose diabetes is not under control.

People with normal glucose tolerance 10 years previously, who subsequently developed impaired glucose tolerance were significantly more likely to have deep gum pockets. Research shows that the presence of gum disease is closely related to current glucose tolerance status and the development of glucose intolerance (2).

The effective treatment of gum infection is associated with a reduction in level of glycated hemoglobin (3). When chronic oral infections are successfully treated, bacterial populations in gum tissues are reduced, resulting in lowered systemic inflammation and improved metabolic control in diabetes (4).

Control of periodontal infections should thus be an important part of the overall management of diabetic patients.

1- Poorly controlled Type 2 diabetics twice as likely to develop periodontal disease. Am Acad of Perio. 2- The Severity of Periodontal Disease is Associated with the Development of Glucose Intolerance in Non-diabetics. Dent Res 83(6):485-490,2004. 3- Sara Grossi, et.al, Treatment of Periodontal Disease in Diabetics Reduces Glycated Hemoglobin. J Perio 1997;68:713-719 4- Iwamaoto Y, et.al., The Effect of Antimicrobial Periodontal Treatment on Circulating TNF-a and Glycated Hemoglobin Level in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. J Perio 2001;72:774-778.

Important Points:

• Diabetics have more gum disease
• Glucose intolerance and gum disease are related
• Perio treatment reduces HbA1c levels

Dr. David Weaver
Rivergate Dental Care
133 North Creek Blvd.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Phone: 888.411.SEDATE
Fax: 615.851.3535