Research has found that dental patients with Type 2 diabetes and periodontitis could find 
significant improvement in glycemic control if their gum disease is properly treated. The study results were presented by Miquel Viñas, Ph.D., Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, IDIBELL-University of Barcelona, Spain, and published online in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.
Randomized controlled trials suggest that despite having already received diabetes treatment, patients that underwent intensive gum management experienced significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c.
“Nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis improves glycemic status and levels of glycated hemoglobin, and therefore proves the great importance of oral health in these patients,” says co-author José López-López, M.D., Ph.D., from the Dental School at the University of Barcelona, Spain, in a press release.
This research verifies a Dutch study of 300 dental patients indicating those with severe periodontitis may have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Prior research has shown limited evidence of a correlation. The current study, says Viñas, shows a surprising shared relationship between diabetes to periodontal disease.
“Dentists play a critical role in the management of diabetes patients, identifying those at high risk of diabetes and helping them control their periodontal disease and therefore their metabolic status,” he and his colleagues assert.
Spanish Study: Patients Had Diabetes for 10 Years on Average
Study participants averaged 61 years of age having a diabetes indication for approximately 10 years. Differences between groups regarding age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index, daily brushing, and mouthwash habits were insignificant.
Strong differences, however, were noted in smoking history. Current smokers were common in the treatment group, with nonsmokers and former smokers prevalent in the control group. Smokers clearly responded worse to periodontal therapy than nonsmokers. Still, treatment group participants that smoked found significant improvement when compared to smokers within the control group.
Patients in both groups showed similar HbA1c and FPG baseline levels and experienced significant improvements with intensive treatment. Conversely, minimal to insignificant improvement was noted in control group participants. Also noted was the patient’s clinical condition improving whether or not bacterial counts decreased.
The team concludes: “Periodontal evaluation is essential for individuals with diabetes, who should be aware of their increased risk of periodontal disease. Periodontal therapy could lead to cost savings in patients with Type 2 diabetes, thanks to its effect on the metabolic control of these patients.”
Source: Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD, of Cariodontal (310 E. Shore Rd., Ste. 101, Great Neck). For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 516-282-0310 or visit Cariodontal.com.
