Research

Gum treatment improved dental health and blood glucose in a small trial

19.12.17

Periodontal treatment aims to improve the health of tissues supporting teeth. The treatment group had improved gum health and a reduction in HbA1c of about 0.47 percentage points from its starting level.

Diabetes is more common among people with periodontitis

10.11.17

People with gum disease and diabetes may benefit from care teams being aware of both conditions. Across the included data, diabetes was more common in people with periodontitis than in those without it.

Gum treatment changed some blood-cell signals, but not blood glucose

24.10.17

Some blood-derived cells help support blood-vessel repair through the signals they release. Gum health improved after treatment, and activity of two inflammation-related genes decreased relative to comparison care.

Blocking a cellular stress pathway reduced gum damage in rats

30.08.17

Diabetes can increase stress and inflammation within tissues. Diabetic rats showed more pathway activity and periodontal damage.

Gum-care attendance and blood glucose in older adults

23.07.17

Older adults can face practical barriers to dental care. People recorded as receiving periodontal treatment had lower odds of diabetes and slightly more favourable HbA1c measurements.

Could gum treatment offer good value in diabetes care?

23.06.17

There is increasing evidence linking periodontal inflammation to elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Periodontal disease is more prevalent in those with T2DM and contributes to chronic inflammation, potentially raising HbA1c levels. Persistently high HbA1c can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputations, renal failure, and premature death.

Cell energy problems may contribute to diabetic gum damage

12.04.17

Mitochondria are structures that supply cells with usable energy. Rats with both diabetes and periodontitis had greater bone loss and cell death.

Diabetes and bone loss around dental implants: a research review

27.03.17

Inflammation around an implant can affect just the gum or also the supporting bone. Diabetes or raised glucose was associated with more peri-implantitis across the included research.

Raised glucose and gum disease: findings became uncertain after adjustment

24.01.17

Researchers examined whether people with unrecognised glucose abnormalities were more likely to have periodontitis. Raised fasting glucose was associated with more periodontitis before the fullest adjustment.

Prediabetes was associated with more gum bleeding

13.01.17

Prediabetes means blood glucose is above the usual range but does not meet diabetes criteria. Prediabetes was associated with higher odds of widespread gum bleeding and severe periodontitis.

Non-surgical periodontal treatment benefits people living with diabetes

19.12.17

• Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe systemic and oral health complications, including periodontitis, which is characterised by gum inflammation, periodontal tissue damage, and tooth loss.
• Pre-diabetes, a metabolic condition with elevated blood glucose levels below the diabetic threshold, is also linked to complications like nephropathy and neuropathy.

Prevalence of diabetes in people with periodontitis

10.11.17

Periodontitis is a widespread condition affecting over half of the global adult population, with prevalence increasing with age.Severe periodontitis is one of the most common human diseases, contributing significantly to tooth loss.

Periodontal treatment and vascular cell inflammation in diabetes

24.10.17

This preliminary randomised trial investigated whether periodontal treatment changed inflammatory gene expression in blood-derived cells involved in vascular repair in people with type 2 diabetes. Treatment improved periodontal health and reduced IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression, but did not demonstrate corresponding improvements in HbA1c, systemic inflammation or secretion of these proteins.

PARP signalling: A link between diabetes, inflammation and periodontal bone loss

30.08.17

This animal study investigated whether activation of the enzyme PARP contributes to the greater periodontal destruction associated with diabetes. Blocking PARP reduced gingival inflammation, nitrosative stress and bone loss in diabetic rats, without significantly changing blood glucose or HbA1c.

Periodontal treatment and improved glycaemic management among elderly individuals

23.07.17

Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly type 2 (T2DM), is prevalent in the elderly and associated with complications like neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular issues. Poor glycaemic management exacerbates these complications, significantly affecting quality of life. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gums, is common in individuals with T2DM. Research indicates a two-way relationship: Periodontitis worsens gum health, while DM elevates systemic inflammation, impairing blood glucose control. In Japan, over half the population aged 40+ years experiences periodontitis. Addressing periodontitis could potentially improve glycaemic management in people with T2DM. This study aimed to assess whether dental visits for periodontal treatment correlate with improved diabetes outcomes in an elderly Japanese cohort.

Cost-effectiveness of treating periodontitis in patients with diabetes

23.06.17

There is increasing evidence linking periodontal inflammation to elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Periodontal disease is more prevalent in those with T2DM and contributes to chronic inflammation, potentially raising HbA1c levels. Persistently high HbA1c can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputations, renal failure, and premature death.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and diabetes-aggravated periodontitis

12.04.17

This animal study investigated whether damage to mitochondria (the energy-producing structures within cells) could help explain why diabetes worsens periodontitis. Rats with both conditions showed greater periodontal destruction, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress and reduced cellular energy availability compared with rats with periodontitis alone.

Diabetes and its effect on peri-implantitis

27.03.17

• Peri-implant diseases, such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, are common complications affecting dental implants.
• Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycaemia have been associated with periodontal disease due to their impact on systemic inflammation, poor wound healing, and immune response. However, limited evidence exists on their influence on peri-implant diseases.

Undiagnosed diabetes risk and periodontal health

24.01.17

This Canadian population study examined whether previously unrecognised blood glucose abnormalities and other cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with periodontitis. Elevated fasting glucose was associated with higher odds of periodontitis, but this association was no longer statistically significant after accounting for household income and education.

Pre-diabetes linked to gum inflammation and periodontitis

13.01.17

Pre-diabetes was associated with greater gum bleeding and severe periodontitis in adults without diabetes. Insulin resistance was associated with bleeding, but its association with severe periodontitis did not reach statistical significance.