What effect does diabetes have on periodontal disease?

Diabetes significantly impacts periodontal disease by increasing inflammation. Patients with diabetes often experience altered immune responses, which can lead to a more intense inflammatory reaction to oral bacteria. This heightened inflammatory response is associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, exacerbating periodontal tissue destruction and leading to a higher prevalence and severity of periodontal disease.

Furthermore, the impaired blood glucose control seen in individuals with diabetes can affect the connective tissue and bone health, making it easier for periodontal pathogens to proliferate and more difficult for the body to respond effectively to periodontal infections. Thus, the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is a complex interplay where diabetes not only intensifies the inflammatory processes in the gums but also complicates the healing and management of periodontal conditions.