Periodontal disease DOUBLES risk for T2

Evermont · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 07:57 AM

The notion that T2 diabetes can lead to periodontal disease has been around for a while. Now it appears that cause and effect may be the other way around.

Perhaps periodontal disease CAUSES T2 diabetes.

ScienceDaily (Aug. 8, 2008) — Periodontal disease may be an independent predictor of incident Type 2 diabetes, according to a study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. While diabetes has long been believed to be a risk factor for periodontal infections, this is the first study exploring whether the reverse might also be true, that is, if periodontal infections can contribute to the development of diabetes.

The Mailman School of Public Health researchers studied over 9,000 participants without diabetes from a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population, 817 of whom went on to develop diabetes. They then compared the risk of developing diabetes over the next 20 years between people with varying degrees of periodontal disease and found that individuals with elevated levels of periodontal disease were nearly twice as likely to become diabetic in that 20 year timeframe. These findings remained after extensive multivariable adjustment for potential confounders including, but not limited to, age, smoking, obesity, hypertension, and dietary patterns.

(link)

MJB · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 08:17 AM

I had undergone treatment for periodontal disease just a few months before my T2 diagnosis.

It's a chicken and egg argument IMO as once I had my D under control my periodontal problems improved. The periodontist told me that he's often seen that happen.

From my personal experience I would say that high BG, even pre-diabetes, puts you at risk for periodontal problems.

Take care of your teeth and gums folks, mine get cleaned 4 times yearly now.

Evermont · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

I had undergone treatment for periodontal disease just a few months before my T2 diagnosis...

For me periodontal problem first appeared 1 year before T2 Dx. I started treatment for periodontal (a few pockets at 6mm maybe a 7mm). DSRP and Arestin got things back in good shape just about the time I got T2 Dx.

Scrabblechick · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 04:27 PM

I'm blessed. I've never had the first troubles with my teeth. I'm very grateful for that.

georgepds · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evermont

For me periodontal problem first appeared 1 year before T2 Dx. I started treatment for periodontal (a few pockets at 6mm maybe a 7mm). ...got things back in good shape just about the time I got T2 Dx.

Just about the same happened to me. It took me about a year to get my gums in shape, and then ,whamo, the type 2 diagnosis

fgummett · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 06:22 AM

Yet another cause and effect question... the assumption is that Type 2 D raises the BS so we get more dental problems... makes perfect sense... until someone actually tests that assumption and finds out it is the other way around

I wonder if the same holds true for the assumptions about obesity and Type 2 D

Lulika · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 08:34 AM

Wow, thanks for that..I had never thought about it before

Lulika
xx

slipperyelm · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 11:26 AM

So episodes of having periodontal disease doubles the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

I have also read that having Type 2 diabetes raises the risk of getting periodontal disease by a factor of 6!

Ha, ha. I have already brushed my teeth twice today and have not even had lunch yet. I take a box of floss with me in my purse whenever I go out! Sometimes I will have call to use it away from home. My professional teeth cleanings take no time at all and are never painful. I always feel like I am wasting my money to have my already clean teeth cleaned by the hygienist. But I do it anyway--just in case, ya know,