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Periodontal Diseases and Diabetes, How They’re Related

Diabetes Mellitus is extending its grasp over the Canadian population quietly and is increasing in prevalence at an alarming rate. So much that many don’t even know they’re suffering from it, till the signs and symptoms become apparent. Followed by regular checks, blood sugar monitoring, diet control, insulin administration, and so on. But amidst all that, it’s not at all wise to ignore periodontal health.

Whenever a patient with Diabetes comes to us, we make it a point to educate them about the importance of vigorously maintaining oral health as a part of precautionary measures. Many are, however, not aware of this fact. At Sandalwood Smiles Dentistry- Best Dentists Brampton, we initiate awareness drives from time to time to educate people on why patients with diabetes should look after their teeth vigilantly.

Clinical researches have proved that periodontitis is a complication of diabetes and thus, can be an important diagnostic criteria. A two way relationship between periodontitis and diabetes has emerged, where one controls the other. Maintenance of blood sugar levels affects periodontitis positively and vice versa. Similarly, a positive correlation is found to exist between poor glycemic control in patients with diabetes (type 2) and manifestation of periodontitis. Further, periodontal health remains on a stable pedestal under regular maintenance of oral health, periodic removal of plaque, and avoiding a high carb diet, coupled with maintaining controlled blood sugar levels.

Interestingly enough, the high carb foods that lead to plaque deposition are also the ones that raise the blood sugar levels instantly and are contraindicated in a patient with diabetes. Hence, preventive measures for both are all the more same.

Now the question arises as to why the patients with Diabetes Mellitus have periodontitis as complication. Patients with diabetes have a weakened immunity. It’s not the adaptive immunity that’s affected but cellular innate immunity. This is the reason that patients with DM are more susceptible to infections as compared to patients without DM. Therefore, there is more deposition of plaque that houses a greater number of different types of bacteria. If left untreated and ignored for a long time, it can lead to bleeding gums and gingivitis.

So just as a precautionary measure, patients with DM are asked to wear cushioned shoes, double checked each time to remove any foreign object, so is the case with oral health. Patients with DM should get regular deplaque treatments done, more often than patients without DM. 

There’s a difference in frequency of treatment among patients with controlled DM and patients with poorly controlled DM. Patients with adequately controlled DM should undergo scaling treatment once a year. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes should undergo scaling once every six months, along with recording probing depths and bleeding score in both the cases.

Dental care providers should also be alert in looking for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia in patients with DM such as dizziness, pallor, anxiety, tachycardia, weakness, hunger, and sweating. It’s advisable to keep juices handy in such cases.

Even though there’s weak evidence to completely establish a relation between DM and periodontitis, it’s a matter of observation. It’s seen that patients who maintain a stable blood sugar level respond better to periodontal therapies. Similarly, patients with poorly maintained blood sugar levels show signs and symptoms of increased periodontal deterioration. Therefore, if you’re suffering from DM, talk to your dental care provider today for maintaining optimal oral health.