New clinical recommendations from AAP encourage comprehensive periodontal evaluations for people with diabetes

RELATED |New reports confirm perio-systemic connection "The relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes is a bit of a catch-22," says Dr. Stuart J. Froum, DDS, president of the AAP, clinical professor and director of clinical research in the Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at New York University Dental Center. "People living with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease. At the same time, periodontal disease makes it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their symptoms because it can impair the body's ability to process and/or utilize insulin." Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that if left untreated may cause damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth and can eventually lead to tooth loss. In addition to diabetes, periodontal disease has been linked to other systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease. "Both periodontal disease and diabetes present serious public health problems, with millions of Americans affected by one or both of these conditions," says Dr. Froum. "With what we now know about the impact periodontal health has on diabetes management, it is crucial for people diagnosed with diabetes to maintain healthy teeth and gums. This includes diligent home care, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day, as well as receiving a CPE from a dental professional at least once a year. Treatment of periodontal disease in patients with diabetes has been shown to improve control of the disease." To find out more information about periodontal disease or to find a periodontist in your area, visit perio.org. The consensus report was published as proceedings from The Joint EFP/AAP Workshop on Periodontitis and Systematic Diseases and was sponsored through an educational grant from Colgate Palmolive. The consensus report can be viewed here.ADDITIONAL READING ...New CDC report on health disparities includes chapter on disparities in periodontitisSelf-report questions may help predict periodontitisAAP honors significant achievements in the field of periodonticsAAP names new officers to BOT SOURCE: PRNewswire–USNewswire/Chicago