Diabetes also linked to gum disease

Diabetes is associated with several serious complications, including stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and amputations . A recent diabetic news report indicates that another complication, periodontal or gum disease, is often passed over when discussing the disease.
Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, and this can lead to a lack of detection at an early stage. Gum disease is serious amongst diabetics, however, according to a Group Health and Washington Dental Service report.
A one year study will investigate links between diabetes and periodontal disease. The team are also planning to raise awareness amongst medical doctors and dentists when it comes to caring for diabetic patients.
Dr. Robert Reid, an associate medical director at Group Health, was reported in the news as commenting: “Diabetes is a risk factor for infection and gum disease is an infection, plus infections can prevent patients from controlling their diabetes . We don’t know how the link occurs, but this is a complication no one talks about.”