Recovery from chronic periodontal disease is associated with a lower risk for incident diabetes.
(Journal of Clinical Periodontology; doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13687)
Jung-Hyun Park, Sun-Hyun Kim, Sun-Jong Kim, Jin-Woo Kim
Researchers are studying whether changes in gum health are connected with later diabetes. This matters because an association might help explain shared risk factors, even if it does not prove that one condition causes the other.
The study followed 111,611 people who had at least two health screenings and no previous diabetes before the second screening. Researchers compared people whose gums stayed healthy, improved, worsened or remained affected by periodontitis.
People whose periodontal health improved were less likely to develop diabetes than those with persistent gum disease.
The association remained when researchers used different definitions of gum disease and considered several other health and lifestyle factors.
However, participants were not randomly assigned to gum treatment, and improvement in gum health may have accompanied changes in smoking, diet, healthcare access or other behaviours.
This is encouraging evidence of a connection between oral and general health.
It does not establish that gum treatment prevents diabetes or quantify the benefit you would personally receive.
Gum treatment should be considered for its dental benefits, while diabetes prevention and monitoring need their own assessment. Improving one part of health does not remove the need to look after the others.
Following people over time helps researchers study the order of events, but it does not remove all uncertainty.
People with different health or dental histories may also differ in medicines, smoking, access to care and other influences. Some participants may be missing from later assessments. Statistical adjustments cannot fully account for everything.
The results describe patterns in the people studied, not a personal forecast. They should be considered alongside other research and your own clinical findings when discussing their relevance to you.
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Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
