Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease and diabetes are both widely known chronic inflammatory diseases that impact heavily on millions of people’s health. Research shows that diabetes has a high-risk factor that worsens periodontal disease. Periodontitis is another high-risk factor that can exacerbate the blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient and increase severe complications. The relationship between periodontal diseases and diabetes shows the common mechanisms associated with inflammatory responses that alter the immune resistance responses and insulin resistance.

A patient with diabetes develops a higher risk and severity of inflammatory periodontal diseases. Signs of periodontal disease may significantly affect blood glucose control, which leads to complications and health decline. Periodontal disease and diabetes are both “silent” chronic conditions that many do not realize that they have it, but do keep in mind that they can be genetically inherited.

Those with diabetes must seek medical evaluations with their dentist (or periodontist) to screen for periodontal disease. For patients who have periodontal infections should be screened and tested for diabetes if symptoms are present.

Information that your physician needs to be aware of if you have diabetes is your dentist’s or periodontist’s information. If your physician is having trouble controlling your blood glucose, he/she may need to be in touch with your dentist (or periodontist) to see the best way to help manage and control your blood sugar. Information that your dentist needs to be aware of if you are already diagnosed with periodontal disease is your family’s diabetes history. If you are a woman, please let your dentist know that you had gestational diabetes during your pregnancy (since it can be a pre-stage to diabetes). Screening is crucial for both diabetes and periodontal disease.