Effect of periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.
(Journal of Clinical Periodontology; doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13939)
Misuzu Sato, Sachiko Ono, Hayato Yamana, Akira Okada, Miho Ishimaru, Yosuke Ono, Masanori Iwasaki, Jun Aida, Hideo Yasunaga
Trials suggest gum treatment can sometimes improve blood glucose, but everyday dental care may produce different results. This study looked at what happened in routine healthcare records for people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers used Japanese insurance data for 4,279 people with consecutive annual health checks. They compared HbA1c changes in people receiving periodontal care with those not attending a dentist and examined groups with different starting glucose levels.
There was no clear overall difference in HbA1c change. A small improvement appeared in one starting-HbA1c subgroup, but this was not consistently maintained when a different comparison group was used. The difference was much smaller than some estimates from treatment trials. Records did not provide detailed information about gum disease severity or the intensity of treatment.
This study is a reminder that gum treatment does not reliably produce a large blood glucose improvement for every person. Its dental purpose remains important even when HbA1c does not change. Medical treatments, starting glucose levels and the type of dental care can all affect comparisons. Your response should be assessed individually rather than judged against an average from another study or used to decide whether gum care has been worthwhile.
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
