A Review of the Relationship Between Chronic Periodontitis and Diabetes

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a common inflammatory disease which is characterized by progressive destruction of the tooth supporting structures and ultimately, potential tooth loss. A relationship between CP and diabetes has been recognized for some time. Both diseases share several collective risk factors, however, recent research has provided greater insight into the relationship with evidence emerging for each disease being a co-factor in the pathogenesis of the other. The aim of this review is to examine recent epidemiological evidence for the impact of diabetes on CP, and in the reverse direction, the impact of CP on diabetes. Based on the available evidence to date, it seems likely that the level of metabolic control influences future periodontal disease risk. In the reverse direction, the presence of CP has the potential to adversely affect glycemic control in both diabetes-affected and diabetes-free individuals. CP may potentially be a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes in diabetes-free individuals. Interventional studies show that successful treatment of CP may improve metabolic control in people with diabetes in the short term.