29 Jan The periodontitis and diabetes
There is a bidirectional relationship between the two diseases. First we must know that periodontitis is an inflammatory dental disease, which affects the gums, bones and / or other tissues that support the teeth. And on the other hand diabetes, which is defined as hyperglycemia, this means high levels of blood sugar.
For this bidirectional relationship that we mentioned at the beginning is that healthy patients suffering from periodontitis (pyorrhea) are more likely to have prediabetes and diabetes. Periodontitis is significantly associated with poorer glycemic control and higher blood glucose levels ( glycemia) both in person with diabetes and in people without the disease. There are higher levels of insulin resistance in people with periodontitis. Diabetes increases the risk of suffering from periodontitis and also increases the possibility of this disease becoming worse. However, when periodontitis is treated successfully, it can help improve a patient’s diabetes. Periodontal treatment in people with diabetes produces a significant reduction in blood glucose levels three months after periodontal therapy.
What do you do if you have both diseases simultaneously?
When a patient is diabetic and has periodontitis it is more difficult to control diabetes. The risks suffered by people who have both diseases, is a greater chance of having heart disease, chronic kidney disease and retinopathy, more likely than a person who only has diabetes. Therefore, if you suffer from both diseases, you should see your periodontist (specialist in periodontics) and your endocrinologist frequently and there should be close communication between the two specialists.
What do I do if I have periodontal disease?
If you have periodontitis, as we have already noted, it is more likely to develop diabetes. Therefore, in addition to visiting the periodontist to treat it, it is important to lead a healthy life, and thus help prevent diabetes. Also of course visit the doctor regularly to control the onset of diabetes. Patients with periodontitis should go to maintenance frequently according to their level of risk.
If I have diabetes, what should I do?
If you have diabetes, it is recommended that you go to the dentist frequently. It must also inform you of the evolution of the disease and any change of medications. This will help your dentist to make a more personalized treatment and also to foresee periodontal diseases. The most important thing is that patients lead a healthy life, and go regularly to both the doctor and the dentist.
At Clínica Blasi we want you to take care of yourself, and also to help you do it in the best way. That’s why we recommend that you visit our periodontist specialist if you have any symptoms of diabetes or periodontitis.