Periodontal Therapy and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
Summary
Type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis share a bidirectional relationship driven by systemic inflammation and impaired host response. Persistent periodontal infection exacerbates insulin resistance through elevated pro-inflammatory mediators, while hyperglycaemia impairs periodontal tissue repair and immune function. Non-surgical periodontal therapy, principally scaling and root planing, aims to disrupt subgingival biofilm, reduce pocket depth and resolve local inflammation. This intervention has been associated with modest but clinically meaningful reductions in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose and systemic inflammatory markers. Adjunctive measures such as systemic or topical antibiotics, host-modulation agents and improved oral hygiene protocols are under investigation to enhance and prolong these metabolic benefits. The global significance of integrating periodontal care into diabetes management is underscored by its potential to mitigate micro- and macrovascular complications, improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
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Periodontal Therapy and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in periodontal therapy and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Periodontitis: Chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, characterised by pocket formation, attachment loss and alveolar bone resorption.
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c): A measure of average blood glucose over the preceding two to three months, reflecting long-term glycaemic control.
Scaling and root planing (SRP): Non-surgical procedure involving mechanical debridement of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces and root surfaces to reduce periodontal inflammation.
Probing pocket depth (PPD): The distance from the gingival margin to the base of the periodontal pocket, used to assess disease severity.
Oxidative stress: Imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defences, contributing to tissue damage and systemic inflammation.
References
- Pathogenic Mechanisms That May Link Periodontal Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus—The Role of Oxidative Stress. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- The effect of antibiotics on the periodontal treatment of diabetic patients with periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
- The effect of periodontal therapy on glycemic control and fasting plasma glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health (2016).
- Periodontal Therapy and Systemic Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE (2015).
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