Periodontal Disease and Diabetes - Article Example

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Periodontal Disease and Diabetes This paper will show the association between periodontal disease and diabetes by summarizing an article from the Journal of Periodontology of April 2013. The article shows that evidence has linked diabetes to the prevalence and severity periodontal (or gum) disease. Diabetes is characterized by a weakened and deregulated immune system, and among the consequences are a notable, ongoing inflammatory state and limited immune response.

A high level of glucose in the gingival crevicular fluid promotes the growth of bacteria that increases vulnerability to periodontitis. Greater gingival bleeding has also been observed among patients whose diabetes is poorly controlled than among those with well-managed diabetic conditions. Failure to treat gingivitis, which is a milder form of periodontitis, causes it to advance to the fully blown periodontitis, which is characterized by an inflammation around teeth (Taylor, Preshaw & Lalla, 2013).

Prevalence and vulnerability varies in people with different ages. Children suffering from type 1 diabetes are at higher risks (more than five times) than those without diabetes but with similar levels of plaque. In adults, type 2 diabetes increases the risk of periodontitis three times more than those without diabetes. Poor glycemic control is the key exposure to the disease among such adults. Studies found similar pathogens in periodontitis sites among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

Further, hyper-inflammatory immune cells in diabetic patients increases insulin resistance, complicating the inflammation caused by periodontitis even more (Taylor, Preshaw & Lalla, 2013). These findings influence the professional career in dental hygiene, and practitioners should discuss the relationship with their patients. They should advice patients to have healthy lifestyles and avoid diets that increase susceptibility to diabetes, which may ultimately affect their dental health.ReferencesTaylor, J.

, Preshaw, P., & Lalla, E. (2013). A review of the evidence for pathogenic mechanisms that may link periodontitis and diabetes. Journal of Periodontology, 84(4), 113-134. doi:10.1902/jop.2013.134005.