Sweet Tooth and Gums: Periodontal Disease May Aggravate Pre-Diabetes Glow Dental 87 Northcote Road, Battersea, London, SW11 6PL 020 7223 7096 Sweet Tooth and Gums: Periodontal Disease May Aggravate Pre-Diabetes Periodontal disease is a serious health issue, affecting more than half of adults in the UK.TheNationalHealthServiceestimatesthat15%ofthepopulationhaveanextreme caseofperiodontitis.Gumdiseasedevelopswhenplaquebuildsupintheteeth,causing irritation, swelling, and soreness.Previousstudiesshowedthatthehealthproblemincreasesriskforseveralserious conditions,includingcardiovasculardisease,dementia,infertilityandchronicobstructive pulmonary disease. In 2007, researchers found that periodontal disease may also contribute to the progression of pre-diabetes. Gum Problem May Lead to Pre-Diabetes ThestudypublishedintheJournalofPeriodontology,andmentionedintheBritish Dental Journal, used animal models, male adult ZFRs (Zucker fatty rat) and lean rats. The researchteamrecordedsignificantfactors,suchasbodyweight,foodintake,andglucose intolerance, after 4 weeks. They also analysed insulin resistance, free fatty acids, cytokines, and alveolar bone loss in the same period. The results showed that ZFRs exhibiting periodontitis symptoms showed increased glucoseintoleranceandaslightincreaseinfastingglucosefromtheperiodscientists first evaluated them until the last assessment.Leanratswithgumproblems,ontheotherhand,hadhigherfinalglucose intolerancethanthosethatdidnothaveperiodontitis.Theyalsoshowedincreased fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance.ThealveolarboneanalysisshowedthatZFRswithperiodontitisexperiencedmore bone loss than lean rats with periodontitis. Thesefindingsledresearcherstoconcludegumproblemsworsenpre-diabetes characteristics, since periodontitis was linked to the weakening of glucose metabolism in ZFRs. Furthermore, periodontitis impaired glucose regulation among lean rats. The Need for Proper Gum Care The researchers recognised that the results of the study point to the importance of takinggoodcareofteethandgums.Properdentalhygienecanbeasimplewayto prevent diabetes and its progression. Dental practitioners recommend brushing teeth at least twice a day for two to three minutes, and flossing regularly. Dental check-ups are also necessary to prevent build-up of hardened plaque. For people who already developed periodontal disease, dentists may recommend root planning or scale and polish treatments. Periodontal disease is a serious health issue, which may worsen pre-diabetes. It is important to exercise good oral hygiene to protect dental health and over-all well-being. RESOURCES: http://www.glowdental.co.uk/ http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v202/n8/full/bdj.2007.361.html http://www.joponline.org/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2007.060358