The dental community (and some functional medicine physicians) have long known there is a connection between periodontal disease and diabetes. It has often been a question of cause and effect – a ‘chicken or egg’ debate. There is evidence for both sides and, if you include obesity, which is closely related to diabetes, you have a vicious cycle of inflammation and increasing disease.
Now, a new study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology evaluates the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the HbA1c levels of 90 patients, split into 2 groups, in a randomized clinical trial. HbA1c is a measure of long-term blood sugar (glucose) control
Both groups received oral hygiene instructions.
The control group had plaque and calculus removed by ultrasonic scaling (scraping), but only above the gum line.
The treatment group had their plaque and calculus removed from both above and below the gumline both ultrasonically and with a curette (instrument for scraping the tooth surface).
Measurements were taken for fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and bacterial counts at the beginning, at 3 months and at 6 months.
The results showed that the treatment group had a statistically significant improvement in their periodontal and metabolic parameters, allowing the researchers to conclude: “Non-surgical periodontal treatment resulted in a better glycemic status of type 2 diabetes patients and demonstrated the importance of oral health in their general health.”
You can read the abstract HERE