Research published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism highlights the beneficial effects of intensive diabetes management on periodontal health. The study, led by a team from Osaka University in Japan, reveals that aggressive diabetes treatment can significantly reduce gum disease.
The connection between diabetes and periodontal disease is well-documented, with periodontal issues often exacerbating blood glucose levels. However, the reciprocal effect of diabetes treatment on gum health had not been thoroughly explored until now.
Osaka University’s research team, comprising experts from the Graduate Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, and Engineering, conducted a two-week intensive diabetes treatment program for 29 patients with type 2 diabetes. The study assessed various health indicators, including systemic and dental markers, before and after the treatment.
Remarkably, no additional dental procedures were carried out during the study. The patients exclusively received diabetes management interventions. The results indicated notable improvements in glycoalbumin, a key marker for blood sugar control, and PISA (periodontal inflamed surface area), suggesting a decrease in both blood glucose levels and periodontal inflammation.
Furthermore, analysis of the data showed that participants who experienced significant reductions in PISA scores had higher levels of pre-treatment C-peptide. This marker is associated with better insulin secretion and was also linked to improved cardiovascular autonomic regulation (CVRR) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), which are indicators of less severe diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular issues.
Senior author Masae Kuboniwa emphasized that the findings enhance the understanding of how diabetes management impacts periodontal disease. “This study underscores the importance of early and effective diabetes treatment in managing periodontal health,” Kuboniwa noted.
The research suggests that integrating dental care with diabetes management from the outset could play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating periodontal disease in diabetic patients.
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