Diabetes and Periodontitis- A two way relationship

Diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis are common chronic diseases in adults in the world population. Periodontal disease is chronic inflammatory disease of the tissues that support and attach the teeth to the jaws. Periodontal disease is the second main cause of oral cavity disorders affecting the population due to its high prevalence.Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease with both metabolic and vascular components, characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Persons with diabetes mellitus are at greater risk of developing periodontal diseases. Periodontal disease is now considered the sixth complication of diabetes mellitus. Not only is it more prevalent in this population, but also the progression of symptoms, in a more aggressive and more rapidly setting mode. The main reasons for this situation are the scarce information on the importance of oral hygiene, poor metabolic control and the irregularity in visiting dentists, among others.