Researchers from University at Buffalo concluded that periodontal infection combined with obesity may contribute to type 2 diabetes...

Obesity Is a Significant Predictor of Periodontal Disease

Researchers from University at Buffalo concluded that periodontal infection combined with obesity may contribute to type 2 diabetes.

CHICAGO – February 21, 2006 – People have a new reason to stick to their New Year’s resolution to lose excess weight besides fitting into the latest fashion trends. Researchers from University at Buffalo found that obesity is a significant predictor for periodontal disease, independent of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and smoking. This study printed in a recent supplement to the Journal of Periodontology (JOP).

Furthermore, analysis of this national sample suggests that insulin resistance mediates the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. It was found that the severity of periodontal attachment loss increased proportionally with increasing insulin resistance. In addition, the number of teeth lost increased significantly with increasing levels of insulin resistance. Individuals in the highest insulin resistance category lost 1.1 more teeth compared to individuals in the lowest category.

“People who have a higher body mass index produce cytokines (hormone-like proteins), that lead to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance,” said Robert J. Genco, vice provost at the University at Buffalo and editor of the JOP. "We propose that chronic stimulation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines associated with periodontal infection also occurs, contributing to insulin resistance, which may further predispose to diabetes mellitus.”

Genco and his research team recently showed that diabetics with periodontal disease may have greater mortality from diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease and kidney complications than diabetics with little or no periodontal disease.

“The presence of periodontal infection combined with obesity may contribute to type 2 diabetes and its complications, such as coronary heart disease,” said Kenneth A. Krebs, DMD and AAP president. “Although further studies are needed, people should remember that living a healthy lifestyle along with daily brushing and flossing and visiting your oral health care provider is always in fashion.”

Background Information

A total of 12,367 non-diabetic individuals 20 to 90 years old participated in the dental section of the NHANES III study. Of these 53 percent were men and 47 percent were women and 43 percent of all the individuals were overweight.

* EDITOR'S NOTE: Representatives of the media may contact the AAP Public Affairs Department to receive a copy of the study "A Proposed Model Linking Inflammation to Obesity, Diabetes and Periodontal Infections." Abstracts of Journal of Periodontology articles are available to the public online. Full-text of studies may be accessed by AAP members and Journal subscribers or purchased online.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is is an 8,000-member professional organization for periodontists - specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation and receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school. Periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

Find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases by taking the Academy’s risk assessment test. Referral to a periodontist in your area is available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's website at www.perio.org.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at meg@perio.org or 312/573-3242.

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