[Important medical-odontological interactions. Diabetes mellitus and oral health. A bittersweet relation?]
1Periodontist dentist teacher CTM, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormalities in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Average blood glucose levels over a longer period of time (2-3 months) can be assessed by measuring the HbA1c levels. Glycated hemoglobin is determined with the HbA1c levels. An HbA1c of over 7% may lead to serious general health complications, particularly when it is not or cannot be well regulated. Elevated blood glucose levels may also lead to oral health complications. Epidemiological studies have shown that periodontitis, salivary disorders, dental caries, tooth loss, edentulousness, peri-implant problems and (pre)malignant disorders occur more frequently in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to non-diabetic patients. Non-surgical treatment of periodontitis may have a positive and clinically significant effect on blood glucose levels. The actual magnitude of the association between diabetes mellitus and oral health complications is still unclear due to methodological limitations of research carried out so far.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...


