Periodontal Disease and Metabolic Syndrome

Loose teeth may be periodontitis, and they may have Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Conversely, if someone has poorly controlled diabetes, they may have periodontitis.

Periodontal disease is a disease of the mouth caused by germs that weakens the attachment of the tooth to the gums that ultimately leads to loss of teeth.

Signs and symptoms

If you have loose teeth, wider spacing between the teeth, and bleeding gums upon brushing, you may have periodontitis (PD). Another sign is a separation at the gums and teeth as it forms a periodontal crevice. This ultimately results in teeth loss if left untreated.

Periodontal_Disease

How does Periodontitis happen?

There are about 800 microorganisms present in a dental plaque. The presence of the organisms themselves does not lead to periodontitis. Many factors like genetics, environmental factors, stress, cigarette smoking, and state of health can affect disease expression.

The bacteria present interacts with the native cells of the gums and together secretes noxious substances like tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, C- reactive proteins, and cytokines. These give rise to a body-wide reaction to infection that is bad enough to cause tissue damage but mild enough so as not to produce any symptoms. It has been shown that patients with periodontitis have toxins circulating in their bodies.

Periodontal_terms_diagram_gingival_recession — 1: Total loss of attachment (clinical attachment loss, CAL) is the sum of 2: Gingival recession, and 3: Probing depth

Diabetes and Periodontitis

High blood sugar and periodontitis have many commonalities such that they both result in chronic inflammation and affect the liver, which makes diabetes control more challenging. This review in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome came to the conclusion that the treatment of periodontitis can lead to better blood sugar control in patients with diabetes.

There is a strong relationship between high cholesterol, low HDL, and high triglycerides in periodontitis. This study from the Journal of Clinical Periodontology shows a strong correlation between the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease with PD.

What is essential to know is that periodontitis worsens each component of the metabolic syndrome, namely hypertension, obesity, high triglycerides, and low HDL.

The relationship also goes the other way, meaning the various parts of the metabolic syndrome also make the periodontitis worse.

Take Away Lesson

If you have any condition associated with metabolic syndrome like diabetes, it may be worthwhile to have your teeth checked by a dentist. Once your dentist takes care of the periodontitis, the blood sugar control may be easier.

If your dentist tells you that you have periodontitis, follow their recommendation and then consult your physician to be screened for metabolic syndrome.

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