Would Better Control of Diabetes Improve Oral/Periodontal (Gum) Health? A Short Narrative Review of how Dental Practitioners can contribute

Authors: Al-Saffar H*, Dadnam D, Mahmood I, Mason H, Madhavan N and Stefanescu SV

DOI: 10.23880/oajds-16000291

Volume 6, Issue 1

Abstract

The World Health Organisation has listed diabetes to be the seventh leading cause of death, with more than 422 million adults having the condition. It is therefore paramount to understand its pathophysiology, examine its systemic effect and more specifically, the impact on periodontal health. The aim of this short narrative review is to assess how patient’s control can play a role in maintaining a better periodontal health, and how a General Dental Practitioner can positively contribute. The overall consensus illustrates a relationship that poorly controlled diabetes could worsen the periodontal tissue leading to destruction and deterioration of gum health.

Keywords: Diabetes; Periodontal health; Periodontitis; Oral hygiene; Gum; HbA1c

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