The DIABETIC in the DENTAL CHAIR | Part Two
June 29th, 2009 by wordpress
By Brian Mealey
New research suggests that periodontal disease can also affect a diabetic patient’s ability to control his or her blood sugar levels, and can contribute to diabetic complications such as heart and kidney disease. Inflammatory diseases of many kinds-including those that affect the mouth–can increase insulin resistance. In people with type 2, increased resistance caused by gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control. However, periodontal treatment reduces the level of inflammation in the tissues around the teeth, thereby improving blood sugar control in many diabetics.
 Thus, care of patients with diabetes poses a particular challenge to dental professionals. Diabetes often worsens oral health, particularly that of the gum tissues and bone, which, in turn, deteriorates blood sugar control. The patient and dental professional must work together to stop this vicious cycle before it begins by being attentive to daily oral hygiene: brushing and flossing, getting regular oral health checkups, and properly treating periodontal disease early on.
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Brian L. Mealey is director of the Periodontics Postgraduate Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio—Oral and Whole Body Health
