Diabetes can negatively impact gum health.
New research indicates that diabetes medications may enhance periodontal health.
Healthier gums could also signal progress in managing type 2 diabetes.
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2024 — A recent study suggests that diabetes medications can help improve gum health in individuals with diabetes.
Researchers in Japan discovered that after receiving diabetes treatment, participants showed positive changes in their gum health markers.
“Encouraging collaboration between medical and dental care from the early stages of diabetes can significantly help prevent and manage periodontal disease in diabetic patients,” said Dr. Masae Kuboniwa, the study’s senior author and an associate professor of preventive dentistry at Osaka University.
The connection between gum health, heart disease, and diabetes has been well-documented over the years.
In this study, Kuboniwa and her team observed 29 individuals with type 2 diabetes who underwent two weeks of intensive therapy with diabetes medications. Notably, none of the participants received any professional dental care during this period.
The findings, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, revealed that the medications not only improved glycoalbumin levels—a marker for blood sugar control—but also reduced the Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA), which measures gum inflammation. As PISA scores improved, participants experienced better blood flow and relief from neuropathy symptoms.
“This study demonstrates that managing periodontal disease in diabetic patients requires both dental treatment and early management of diabetes,” Kuboniwa stated in a university news release.
She added that these findings could enhance our understanding of how diabetes and gum disease are interconnected.
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