Periodontal disease is present among a third of diabetics. For more than 50 years we’ve known that diabetes affected periodontal disease.
Thanks to research we know the following:
- Diabetes is a risk factor in the development of gum diseases.
- In type 1 diabetes patients gum disease is very common.
- Type 2 diabetes patients suffer from severer forms of gum disease compared to patients without diabetes.
- Improved control over blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes patients decreases the severity of periodontal diseases.
Periodontal disease is an infection illness which develops chronically over years. The main cause is a layer of bacteria (plaque). The bacteria are responsible for the separation of the gums from the teeth and allowing the destruction of supportive tissue – ultimately leading to tooth loss. Without balancing the diabetes, tooth loss can be rapid.
- Studies show that children with type 1 diabetes are five times more likely to develop gum disease.
- Adults with type 2 diabetes are 3 times more likely to develop gum disease compared to adults without diabetes.
- Other risk factors such as smoking raise the risk of developing gum disease by 7.
These create a delay in the host’s reaction and the creation of cytokines which harm gum/bone tissue by destructive overreaction.
Not only does diabetes encourage gum disease, studies show that a reverse connection also exists: gum disease, much like any infection or inflammation, can have a harmful affect on balancing diabetes:
- Increasing insulin resistance.
- Increasing blood sugar levels, meaning more sugars remain in the blood stream and do not penetrate the cells.
Furthermore, treating the gums in diabetics is absolutely necessary and can help balance the disease. As experts on gum diseases, we’ve witnessed the improvement felt by our diabetic patients.
1. There is a strong connection between diabetes and periodontal disease.
2. This connection is a two-way connection, both conditions are affected by one another.
3. Treating periodontal disease with diabetic patients is strongly recommended thanks to its roll in balancing the disease.
4. Diabetics can keep all of their teeth if they are treated correctly by a Periodontist.
5. In the future, a balance diabetic showing no signs of periodontal disease could undergo tooth transplants with promising results.