People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disea than people without diabetes. We have known this for many years through clinical observations and studies.

Research has recently demonstrated that the relationship goes both ways. For example, people with diabetes usually have more aggressive periodontal problems and periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diahetes to control their blood sugar.

More research is needed to demonstrate exactly how periodontal disease makes it more difficult to control blood sugar. We have seen in several studies that severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar. This may lead to longer durations where your body functions with elevated blood sugar levels. The consequence of heightened sugar levels can increased the risk for diabetic complications. Therefore, if you control your periodontal disease, you may findi it easier to keep your blood sugar levels in balance.

Nearly 6 million Americans in the U.S. have diabetes. If you have diabetes personally or have family members with it, you or they could be at more risk for having periodontal disease. Periodontal disease often comes with few or no symptoms, so you may be unaware of it. Have a comprehensive periodontal examination to see where you stand!!

More information can be obtained on this subject or other periodontal disease topics by visiting our web site at http://members.aol.com/DentalDDS.

The American Academy of Periodontology can provide recorded telephone information at 1-800-FLOSSEM. THEY ALSO HAVE AN EXCELLENT WEB SITE at http://www.perio.org.

The above article is an exerpt from "The Perio Letter" published by Steven Spindler, DDS. Dr. Spindler maintains a full time perio practice in the New Orleans, Louisiana area.

He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, The ADA and The AGD, and has published in The Journal of Periodontology. In addition to his clinical practice, he has worked extensively in developing informational internet web sites for dentistry. He invites you to visit his web site at Http://members.aol.com/DentalDDS

If you have any questions about this topic or would like subscription information to The Perio Letter you can email him at DentalDDS@aol.com or call his office at 504-887-8205.