Diabetes and Oral Health

Brief Description

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood glucose or blood sugar levels are too high. Diabetes is reaching potentially epidemic proportions in India with more than 62 million individuals currently diagnosed with diabetes.

Research reveals that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among patients with diabetes, thereby adding gum/periodontal disease to the list of other complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease etc.This relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes is two-way. Periodontitis has been identified as the sixth complication of diabetes. Not only the people with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal disease, but periodontal disease may also have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.

Line of Management

Patients with severe gingival inflammation and periodontitis who do not respond to routine periodontal therapy should be screened for diabetes. Control of blood glucose levels is the key to control and prevent dental problems.

Also, maintenance of good oral hygiene on regular basis and regular checkups every six months are necessary in such patients.

Smoking cessation is highly recommended in such patients because of documented negative impact of smoking on diabetic complications.