Periodontal Treatment Improves Metabolic Control in Diabetics
Research over the past few years has brought to light the increased importance of managing and controlling diabetes in the presence of periodontal infections. Recent research in which the age relationship of periodontal disease is accounted for show that in type 2 diabetics, periodontal disease is more severe and more prevalent than in non-diabetics. (1)
Dentists have long observed that diabetic patients as a whole tend to have more gum inflammation, tooth loss, are slower to heal, and present more disease management considerations than does a non-diabetic patient population.
Furthermore, the medical literature strongly suggests that chronic oral infections can complicate the management of diabetes, and that diabetes can worsen the management of periodontal disease. In other words, the evidence supports viewing the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease as bidirectional. (2)
This information should cause strong concern for physicians managing diabetic patients. Medical doctors should routinely inquire as to the dental/periodontal status of their patients. They should insist that these patients are receiving routine therapies to control and combat chronic oral infections.
A clinical trial in 2006 compared two groups of periodontal patients, one with and one without diabetes. Both groups found improved gum health with proper perio treatment, and the diabetic patients showed improved metabolic control (lower HbA1c) at 3 and 6 months after periodontal treatment. (3)
Basic periodontal health care delivered by a dentist and dental hygienist, along with improved daily home care, improves the diabetic management of Type 2 diabetic patients. Dentists aware of this research and whom are proactive in this management of their patients, are likewise insisting that their patients control gum disease and receive pro-active medical management to control their diabetes.
1- Diabetes Monitor (www.diabetesmonitor.com/b116.htm).
2- Taylor G., Bidirectional Interrelationships Between Diabetes and Periodontal Diseases: An Epidemiologic Perspective, Annals of Periodontology, 2001, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 99-112.
3- Clinical and Metabolic Changes After Conventional Treatment of Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Chronic Periodontitis. Faria-Almeida R, Navarro A, et. al, Journal of Periodontology 2006.050084
Dentists have long observed that diabetic patients as a whole tend to have more gum inflammation, tooth loss, are slower to heal, and present more disease management considerations than does a non-diabetic patient population.
Furthermore, the medical literature strongly suggests that chronic oral infections can complicate the management of diabetes, and that diabetes can worsen the management of periodontal disease. In other words, the evidence supports viewing the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease as bidirectional. (2)
This information should cause strong concern for physicians managing diabetic patients. Medical doctors should routinely inquire as to the dental/periodontal status of their patients. They should insist that these patients are receiving routine therapies to control and combat chronic oral infections.
A clinical trial in 2006 compared two groups of periodontal patients, one with and one without diabetes. Both groups found improved gum health with proper perio treatment, and the diabetic patients showed improved metabolic control (lower HbA1c) at 3 and 6 months after periodontal treatment. (3)
Basic periodontal health care delivered by a dentist and dental hygienist, along with improved daily home care, improves the diabetic management of Type 2 diabetic patients. Dentists aware of this research and whom are proactive in this management of their patients, are likewise insisting that their patients control gum disease and receive pro-active medical management to control their diabetes.
1- Diabetes Monitor (www.diabetesmonitor.com/b116.htm).
2- Taylor G., Bidirectional Interrelationships Between Diabetes and Periodontal Diseases: An Epidemiologic Perspective, Annals of Periodontology, 2001, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 99-112.
3- Clinical and Metabolic Changes After Conventional Treatment of Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Chronic Periodontitis. Faria-Almeida R, Navarro A, et. al, Journal of Periodontology 2006.050084
