An Overview Of The Relationship Between Diabetes And Periodontitis

This article discusses the association between periodontitis and diabetes. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to tooth loss and is caused by a bacterial biofilm formation that matures and triggers gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis. There is mounting evidence that suggests a connection between periodontitis and diabetes, which can lead to a harmful cycle of diabetes and periodontitis. Epidemiological studies have found that the prevalence and incidence of periodontitis are greater in individuals with type ۲ diabetes than in those without diabetes. The management of periodontitis in individuals with diabetes has been demonstrated to enhance glycaemic control, leading to reductions in HbA۱c levels in the short term. The chronic inflammatory disease, periodontitis, is caused by the presence of dental plaque in the periodontal tissues, leading to a dysregulated secretion of inflammatory mediators and tissue breakdown. The cytokine network in the development of periodontitis is complex and diverse, with significant variability between individuals. The total inflammatory response in the periodontal tissues determines the pattern and rate of disease progression. Diabetic patients have increased susceptibility to infections, which can lead to the high incidence of periodontitis in diabetic patients. The article highlights the crucial role that dental teams play in the care of diabetic patients, as the management of periodontitis in individuals with diabetes has been demonstrated to enhance glycaemic control. Despite this, interprofessional collaboration between dental and medical professionals for the management of diabetes and periodontitis is challenging to implement due to practical and systemic obstacles.

Keywords:

Periodontal Disease , Diabetes , Teeth , Dentistry.