Gum Disease is Strong Predictor of Mortality in Diabetic Patients

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

Recent research suggests the troubling incidence of premature death in diabetics with periodontal disease. Physicians and dentists aware of this condition will insist their diabetic patients successfully manage gum disease.

Gum Disease is Strong Predictor of Mortality in Diabetic Patients

Diabetic pts with gum disease have ~700% increase in mortality!

Diabetes is a known complicating factor for gum disease. Research now shows that chronic gum infections can seriously impact the control of diabetes (1). Periodontal disease is more severe and occurs with higher frequency in diabetic patients (2). Periodontal disease contributes to increased mortality associated with diabetes. Gum infections are a strong predictor of death from cardiorenal disease in diabetics.

After adjusting for factors such as duration of diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use and other factors, scientists conclude that gum disease is strongly predictive of mortality from heart and kidney disease (3). Patients with severe periodontal disease had a 28.4 % death rate representing a 700%+ increase in death compared to diabetics without gum disease.

Diabetics with gum disease makes them twice as likely to die from heart and kidney disease (5). Gum inflammation allows harmful bacteria and cytokines to enter the bloodstream, creating systemic inflammation.

Prudent health care dictates that dentists and physicians recognize both the direct and indirect relationships of these conditions, and that every effort is made to obtain control of gum disease.

1- Soskolne WA, Klinger A, et. al., The Relationship Between Periodontal Diseases and Diabetes. Annals of Perio 2001.6.1.91. 2- www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/america/pdf/chapter23.pdf 3- Jan 2005 ADA News Release; www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid= 1219 4-  Saremi A, et.al., Periodontal Disease and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes Care, Vol 28, No.1, Jan 2005. p27-32. 5-10/03 ADA News Release, Jeffcoat M. www.ada.org/public/media/releases/0310_release07.asp

Important Points:

• Periodontal treatment lowers HbA1c levels
• Diabetics have 700% increase in mortality if they have periodontal disease.
• Diabetics with gum disease 2x likely to die from cardio/renal disease

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

Phone: 888.411.SEDATE
Fax: 615.851.3535