(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 04 - Diabetes and chronic inflammation of the gums are two closely linked diseases. To break this vicious circle comes the 'double screening' by dentist and diabetologist. This is foreseen by a joint document of the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology (SIdP), the Italian Society of Diabetology (Sid) and the Medical Diabetes Association (Amd) which establishes the criteria for the early diagnosis of the two diseases that represent a threat to the health of 12 million Italians. . Indeed, the 8 million patients with periodontitis are 20% more likely to develop diabetes, while the approximately 4 million diabetics have inflammation of the gums among the most frequent complications.
With a few simple questions, the dentist will be able to identify patients with gingival inflammation for whom a blood glucose test is appropriate. "Periodontists can play a key role in the interception of people at high risk of developing diabetes and in the early diagnosis of this disease in those who do not know they are affected: from today there is a shared tool to do this, thanks to the new document that establishes the rules for screening ", explains Luca Landi, SIdP president. It is advisable, he continues, "that all over 45 with periodontitis who have not controlled blood sugar levels for over 3 years and all overweight or obese patients, who have at least one risk factor, should undergo blood glucose tests, such as familiarity for diabetes or hypertension ".
On the other hand, the diabetologist, in addition to informing his patients of the increased risk of periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss, can contribute to an initial screening by asking his patient if he has bleeding, gum swelling, hypersensitivity or mobility of the teeth. "Periodontal disease is one of the pathologies to which people with diabetes are more prone", says Agostino Consoli, president Sid. For this reason "the person with diabetes should also be educated by the diabetologist in mouth hygiene and encouraged to undergo regular oral hygiene sessions". (HANDLE).