Endocrinology,Diabetes & Metabolism - Dr. Siu Shing Chung

Dential Specialist - Dr. Leung Wai Keung

Cure Periodontal Disease - Reduce Diabetes Complications

There are approximately 700,000 patients with type II diabetes in Hong Kong, claimed the diabetes and periodontal disease working group. Diabetes and periodontal disease are closely related to each other. Specialists noted that 40-50% patients with diabetes suffer from severe periodontal disease, and by dental treatment, the patient's blood sugar can be reduced by 0.9%, in effect reducing the risk of other complications.

The chairman of diabetes and periodontal disease working group, Xiao Cheng Zhong says people with diabetes have more body inflammatory cytokines, which increases bacterial damage to teeth membrane. "People with diabetes suffer from periodontal disease risk three times higher than the average person." On the other hand, people with diabetes suffering from periodontal disease have difficulty in controlling their blood sugar, which means they are more prone to having complications. President of the Hong Kong Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry Professor Liang Huijiang claims: "Periodontal disease is a localized infection, as the inflammatory cytokines increase in blood; the surge is unfavorable towards diabetic patients’ glycemic control."

Diabetes may be the cause to “Diabetes teeth”

Furthermore, periodontal disease caused by diabetes may lead to the symptoms of diabetes teeth. Fortunately, studies have proven that effective periodontal treatment can improve blood sugar control, and reduce A1C by 0.9 %. A1C is a blood sugar in people with diabetes; every 1% decrease means a 14% reduction in risk of heart attack and 37 % in risk of microvascular complications.

Liang Huijiang said the general treatment is to remove the dental plaque bacterial membrane; patients need to use dental floss or interdental brush to clean their teeth, ensure clean gums and edges. Some diabetic patients may not be aware of periodontal disease symptoms. 64-year-old Tam was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago; he has occasional bleeding between his teeth and swollen gums, "I always thought it was no big deal." And last year he was diagnosed with periodontal disease, now more than a dozen of his teeth are dentures, his sense of taste thus worsened, he claimed that "To me, drinking coffee is like drinking water." He calls for other diabetic patients to do regular dental checkups, since early detection of illness means easier treatment.

Source: SkyPost 11-06-2012
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