Bleeding gums can be more than a dental issue and may serve as an early sign of an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a review published in the journal The Lancet Public Health.
Researchers analyzed data from 28 long term studies conducted across 16 countries, involving more than 300,000 participants. The results showed that people with periodontitis, defined as a chronic inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth, had an 18 to 25 percent higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes in subsequent years compared to those with healthy gums.
For individuals who had completely lost their teeth, the risk of developing diabetes was 30 percent higher. Researchers also discovered a reverse relationship, finding that people who already had diabetes were more likely to develop gum disease and experience tooth loss.
Inflammation and early screening by dentists
The authors explained that chronic inflammation associated with periodontitis can contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Conversely, elevated blood sugar levels worsen tissue healing and weaken the body defenses against infections.
The study is observational in nature and does not prove that gum disease directly causes diabetes. Nevertheless, scientists believe that dentists could play an important role in the early identification of individuals at high risk for the disease.
In earlier research, scientists found that having a personal garden near home reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
