Glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes, periodontal decline

Researchers have examined whether intensive glycemic control alone may be effective at reversing periodontal decline in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

In a study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, the researchers recruited 29 patients aged 20 to 75 years with Type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized for two weeks to undergo an intensive glycemic control regimen.

The researchers discovered that the two-week regimen significantly improved periodontal inflammation without the need for specific periodontal interventions. Further, following the regimen, the patients presented with reductions in their periodontal inflamed surface area, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. However, the patients’ plaque index remained comparable to baseline levels, demonstrating that the improvements were associated with glycemic control rather than oral hygiene practices.

The findings suggested that improved glycemic control may reduce pathogenicity in the oral microbiome.

Read more: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

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