Diabetes is characterised by a decreased ability to metabolise carbohydrates from food and the liver and results in an abnormal level of glucose in the blood circulation. Unstable glucose levels in the blood, both short and long term, will cause serious complications for these patients.
Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
Studies suggest that there is a bi-directional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease, and this association is well researched. Periodontitis increases the risk of diabetes and diabetes enhances the risk for periodontitis, especially if the diabetes is not well controlled. Diabetic patients with periodontitis are more likely to suffer from diabetic complications such as eye, kidney or heart problems.
Periodontal inflammation negatively affects glycemic control and patients with periodontitis have a higher risk of developing type II diabetes.
Patients with diabetes that undergo periodontal treatment and practice effective oral hygiene daily have decreased blood sugar levels for several months.
Periodontal treatment and good oral hygiene are a benefit for all patients since it reduces the preventable burden of the systemic inflammation associated with periodontal disease.
EFP 2019, Graziani et al. 2018, Sanz et al. 2018, D’Auito et al. 2018, Polak and Shapira 2018