Periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are relatively common chronic diseases, but what people may not know is these two conditions are closely linked. High blood sugar from diabetes can create an environment that is more conducive to bacterial growth in the mouth, increasing the risk of periodontitis—a severe form of gum disease. Periodontitis, in turn, exacerbates the course of diabetes by increasing bacterial loads and inflammation. 

This vicious cycle between periodontitis and diabetes sounds discouraging, but there’s good news: treating one condition can help manage the other. A recent study demonstrated that treating gum disease can assist diabetes care. Not only did treating gum disease improve oral health, but it helped reduce diabetes severity. Furthermore, the study demonstrated economic benefits, as periodontal treatment lowered the overall cost of diabetes care. 

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How Periodontal Treatments Help Diabetes Management

Studies have shown that periodontal treatment, both surgical and non-surgical, can help type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients achieve better blood sugar control. In fact, a 2024 meta-analysis found that compared to patients receiving no treatment or only routine cleanings (e.g., supragingival cleaning), individuals who received periodontal treatment showed significant improvements in two important health markers: 

• HbA1c levels: A measure of long-term blood sugar (glucose) control. Lower HbA1c levels are beneficial for patients with diabetes. 
• C-reactive protein (CRP) levels: CRP measures inflammation in the body. High CRP levels can indicate both gum disease and poorly managed diabetes. 

By treating gum disease (or periodontitis), you can lower both HbA1c and CRP levels, which helps keep the damaging effects of diabetes in check.

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The Financial Benefits of Periodontal Treatment in Diabetes Care

Taking care of your oral health doesn’t just improve diabetes-related outcomes. Research also shows that periodontal treatment can lead to financial savings through:

• Reduced diabetes-related costs. Treating periodontitis helps patients manage diabetes more effectively, which means potentially fewer complications and lesser need for expensive treatments, such as hospitalizations and medications.
• Lower total healthcare expenses. The meta-analysis discussed above revealed that providing periodontal treatment as part of diabetes care could reduce diabetes-related expenses by 4% to 6%. The study estimated a net savings of $12,348 over the lifetime of the patient. 

These findings are consistent with an earlier systematic review that showed dental treatment in the context of non-communicable diseases like diabetes provided net healthcare savings.

Nota bene: Most of these studies were carried out in high-income countries, however, so local contexts must be considered before generalizing these results.

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The Bottom Line

The link between periodontitis and type II diabetes presents both a health challenge and an opportunity. By integrating periodontal treatment into diabetes care programs, patients can experience better health while healthcare providers deliver superior, less costly care. Moving forward, we hope patients and policymakers view dental care more holistically in combination with general medical care.