A new re port suggests that dental care for diabetics such as cleaning and scaling can reduce overall medical costs by 10-12 percent per month. The study by a University of Michigan Dentistry professor was not designed to show a cause and effect, but was undertaken to determine if non-surgical gum disease treatment could reduce medical costs.
The body reacts to the bacteria that cause gum disease by producing immune system responses that lead to inflammation. When inflammation occurs, the body is unable to effectively handle glucose and high blood sugar levels can occur. Periodontal disease and the resultant inflammation has also been linked to increased risk of heart disease, another complication in diabetics.
Costs diminished by about 11 percent for patients who had 1-2 periodontal procedures per year and rose to 12 percent for those receiving 3-4 procedures per year.
Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal
health and necessary treatments.
