If you suffer from Type 2 diabetes, the condition of your oral health is intimately linked to your overall health. People who suffer from diabetes have an increased incidence of oral health problems that lead to periodontal disease.

Studies have shown that diabetes and periodontal disease can lead to atherosclerosis, which happens when deposits of fatty substances such as cholesterol build up in the inner lining of an artery. This buildup is called plaque, which is a cause of heart disease, and creates oxidative stress, which has emerged as an important factor for atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.

The reverse is also true: When researchers from Kyushu Dental College in Kitakyushu, Japan investigated the impact of periodontal therapy on patients with Type 2 diabetes, as compared to non-diabetic patients, they found that periodontal therapy decreased lipid peroxide (LPO), an oxidative stress index, in diabetic patients. In  other words, periodontal therapy reduces the health risks  that diabetic patients face.