Research reveals that intensive diabetes treatment can reduce the inflammation of gum disease

While the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is well known, the impact of diabetes treatment on periodontal health is less understood. Research published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism demonstrates that periodontal inflammation can be positively affected only by receiving intensive diabetes treatment.

It is widely believed that there is an interaction between diabetes and periodontal disease. While treatment of periodontal disease has been shown to improve blood glucose control, the effect of diabetes treatment on periodontal disease has remained largely unknown.

A collaborative research team involving Osaka University’s Graduate Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, and Engineering administered a two-week intensive diabetes treatment to 29 patients with type 2 diabetes, analyzing systemic and dental markers before and after treatment.

No dental procedures were performed as part of this study. patients received only diabetes treatment. Results showed improvements in both glycoalbumin, a marker of blood sugar control, and PISA (periodontal inflammatory surface area), indicating reduced blood glucose levels and periodontal inflammation.

Furthermore, comparing subjects based on PISA improvement revealed that subjects with significant improvement had higher C-peptide levels before treatment, indicating better insulin secretion, and better CVRR and ABI values, indicating less severe diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disorders.

“These research findings are expected to advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease,” says senior author Masae Kuboniwa.

“This study shows that the improvement of periodontal disease in diabetic patients requires not only periodontal treatment but also early treatment of diabetes. We expect that promoting cooperation between medical and dental care from the early stages of diabetes can make a significant contribution to the prevention of occurrence and progression of periodontal disease in diabetic patients”.