Gum Care Ensures Proper Control Over Type 2 Diabetes

Better care of teeth and gums can be the key to controlling type 2 diabetesdefine, researchers of a new study finds.

Often undiagnosed, periodontal, or gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Beginning with the bacteria in plaque, being painless, it often goes untreated thus being the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

“Having periodontal disease makes those with type 2 diabetesdefine more likely to develop worsened glycemic control, and puts them at much greater risk of end-stage kidney disease and death," George W. Taylor, associate professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan schools of Dentistry and Public Health explained.

"Given the numerous medical studies showing that good glycemic control results in reduced development and progression of diabetes complications, we believe there is the potential that periodontal treatment can provide an increment in diabetes control and subsequently a reduction in the risk for diabetes complications," he added.

As dental treatments like periodontitis intervention significantly lowers one's levels of A1C, a measure of long-term glucose control, a dentist becomes a physicians’ last resort in case of uncontrolled glycemia.

"We have found evidence that the severity of periodontal disease is associated with higher levels of insulindefine resistance, often a precursor of type 2 diabetes, as well as with higher levels of A1C," notes dentist Maria E. Ryan.