DIABETES AND ORAL HEALTH

According to the American Diabetes Association there is a heightened “prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes...” Recent studies have concluded that the connection between diabetes and oral health is reciprocal.

Those suffering from diabetes are more prone to gum disease and those suffering from gum disease are more prone to diabetes.

Generally, diabetics are more prone to infections and find it harder to fight infections, including infections derived and associated with oral bacteria. Conversely, gum disease sufferers have the propensity to have poorer blood glucose control, thus helping give rise to the development, continuation and advancement of diabetes.

The American Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health stipulates that there is a definitive correlation between oral health and health in general.

The University of Melbourne’s dental school is conducting a study to investigate screening for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in a private oral healthcare setting labelled as iDENTify (Early identification of type 2 diabetes & pre-diabetes in the oral healthcare setting).

Please contact the Melbourne Dental School on (03) 9035 5511 for more information or even if you would like to contribute to their study.

Dr T. S. Saw OAM

Wheelers Hill Dental