The Deep Relationship Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease: What is the Impact on Blood Sugar Control?
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Hello! This is SACHI Dental Clinic, located in Shiba Park, Minato-ku.
In recent years, there has been a theme that is considered very important in the cooperation between medical and dental fields. That is the “interaction between diabetes and periodontal disease.”
Have you ever heard that “high blood sugar makes you more susceptible to periodontal disease?”
In fact, recent studies have revealed that these two diseases are in a “negative spiral (vicious cycle)” relationship, where they negatively affect each other.
Why does diabetes make periodontal disease more likely to progress?
When a high blood sugar state continues due to diabetes, the following changes occur in the mouth:
- Decreased Immunity and Bacterial Proliferation
The body’s defense response weakens, reducing resistance to periodontal bacteria. As a result, inflammation of the gums (swelling and bleeding) is more likely to occur. - Damage to Blood Vessels and Delayed Repair
High blood sugar puts a strain on blood vessels and worsens the fine blood flow in the gums. Because oxygen and nutrients are not sufficiently delivered, the healing of damaged tissue is delayed. - Dry Mouth
As a symptom of diabetes, the amount of saliva secreted may decrease. The self-cleaning action of saliva weakens, creating an environment in which bacteria are more likely to multiply.
The Mechanism by Which Periodontal Disease Worsens Diabetes
In fact, periodontal disease also has a negative effect on diabetes.
“Inflammatory substances (cytokines)” produced by inflammation of the gums are carried throughout the body through blood vessels. This interferes with the function of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels (insulin resistance).
In other words, the following cycle is established:
“Decreased immunity due to diabetes” → “Worsening of periodontal disease” → “Spread of inflammation throughout the body” → “Disruption of blood sugar control”
Why Dental Treatment Leads to “Overall Health Management”
There is also bright news. There are research reports that HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) values, which are indicators of blood sugar levels, improved by performing appropriate periodontal treatment.
Some data also show a tendency for HbA1c to improve by about 0.3 to 0.4% with regular periodontal treatment, and medical doctors are also recommending “dental visits as part of diabetes management.”
*Effects vary from person to person.
Four Oral Care Practices That People with Diabetes Should Undertake
Improving the environment in your mouth is an important step in preventing the aggravation of diabetes.
- Regular checkups every 3 to 4 months (early detection and early treatment)
- Professional cleaning by a professional (scaling and tartar removal)
- Thorough self-care (using interdental brushes and floss)
- Dry mouth measures (frequent hydration and salivary gland massage)
The health of your mouth is the foundation that supports the health of your entire body.
If you have any concerns, such as “I’ve been bleeding from my gums lately” or “My mouth tends to be dry,” please feel free to contact our clinic.
