Diabetes Research Summary - Tooth and Gum Problems in Kids With Diabetes - American Diabetes Association

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Diabetes Research Summary - Tooth and Gum Problems in Kids With Diabetes - American Diabetes Association
Periodontal changes in children and adolescents with diabetes, by E.J. Brunner and colleagues. Diabetes Care 29:295–299, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Tooth and gum diseases are more common and usually more serious in people with diabetes. In children and teens with diabetes, tooth and gum diseases seem to begin around puberty and get worse with age.
Why did the researchers do this particular study?

Previous studies on diabetes and tooth and gum diseases that involved children and teens were limited by the amount of data and the topics analyzed. Researchers wanted to more fully look at how common and how bad tooth and gum diseases were in children and teens with diabetes.
Who was studied?

This study included 182 children and teens who have diabetes and 160 children and teens who don't have diabetes.
How was the study done?

The children and teens answered questions about their dental health and their diabetes-related health (type of diabetes, whether they took insulin, etc.), and they were given thorough dental and physical exams.
What did the researchers find?

The researchers found that children with diabetes had much higher plaque and gingivitis levels and other serious dental problems than children without diabetes. There was no difference in cavities.

Among the patients with diabetes, being overweight or obese seemed to be linked with serious tooth and gum problems, especially among teens.
What were the limitations of the study?

The kids who took part were mostly from a Hispanic community that doesn't have access to a lot of medical care. The results may differ among different populations.
What are the implications of the study?

The study suggests that tooth decay and disease can start very early in life for people with diabetes (earlier than previously thought) and becomes more severe with age. It is very important for all people with diabetes to practice good dental care, and more programs should be developed to promote dental care and treatment in young patients.