Diabetes and Gum Disease
In our Seattle Cosmetic Dental office we believe that there is a relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease. Patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes have a higher incidence of periodontal disease, with greater severity of many periodontal conditions. It has been shown that treatment of periodontal disease has the potential to reduce insulin requirement and improve glucose control.
There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1-insulin dependent and type 2 non-insulin dependent. Type 1 is characterized by reduction of insulin caused by destruction of pancreatic beta cells, where in type 2 there is resistance of target tissues to the action of insulin. Investigators have indicated that diabetes have a 2 to 3 times greater chance of developing periodontitis than non-diabetes. On the other had patients whose diabetes is medically managed respond normally to therapy and are not at increased risk for periodontitis. Diabetics respond differently to pathogens because of impaired host defenses, thereby making them more susceptible to infections. This has been attributed to vascular changes, polymorphonuclear leukocyte dysfunction and altered immune regulation. Vascular changes seen in diabetes are caused by prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia. In our Seattle cosmetic dentistry we check for any rapid changes in the periodontal status of patients, since this could indicate an uncontrolled diabetic status.
