Health begins in the mouth
How ``mouth healthy`` are your diabetes patients?
Periodontal disease is referred to as the “sixth diabetes sequelae” – after retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, macroangiopathy and delayed wound healing.
The prevalence, severity and progression of periodontitis are associated with diabetes mellitus. The relationship is bidirectional, i.e. the presence of diabetes mellitus promotes the development and progression of periodontitis. On the other hand, periodontal disease can also influence diabetes.
Numerous international studies demonstrate correlations between periodontal diseases and
- Type I diabetes (also in children)
- Type II diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Fat metabolism disorders and obesity
- Diabetes-related complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, proteinuria, nephropathy, concomitant cardiovascular diseases
Oral health risks of people with and without diabetes
Is there a need for action?
Yes, on the one hand with your diabetes patients, because
- Compared to non-diabetics, diabetics have an approximately 3-fold increased risk of periodontitis.
- A manifest periodontitis increases the insulin resistance of the tissues and thus makes the adjustment of the blood sugar more difficult.
- As the severity of periodontitis increases, the HbA1c value increases.
- the risk of diabetes-associated complications is increased by periodontitis.
On the other hand, in non-diabetics or with impaired glucose tolerance, because
- the risk of prediabetes as a result of periodontal disease (possibly undiscovered) is significantly increased.
- Periodontitis is associated with elevated levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol.
- periodontitis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
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