Patient guide · Park Road Dental
Living with diabetes: what should your dentist know?
Tell your dentist that you have diabetes and update them when your medicines or health change. Diabetes can affect gum health, dryness and healing, while treating diagnosed gum disease may also support blood glucose management. Dental care is one part of your health plan and does not replace diabetes treatment.
What is the connection with gums?
Periodontitis is gum disease that damages the tissues supporting teeth. The Australian Dental Association describes a two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontitis: diabetes can increase risk, and gum disease can adversely affect blood glucose management. That relationship does not mean everyone with diabetes will develop severe gum disease. ADA information on diabetes.
A 2022 Cochrane review found moderate-certainty evidence that periodontal treatment improves blood glucose control in people who have both diabetes and periodontitis. Most participants had type 2 diabetes, and the result is an average across studies, not a promised change for an individual patient. Read the review.
Bring information that helps plan the visit
Bring a current medicine list and tell the dentist about recent changes in your diabetes management. If you know your recent HbA1c result, you can share it; this blood test reflects longer-term glucose levels. Mention episodes of low blood glucose, troublesome dryness, infections or concerns about healing.
You do not need to interpret your results yourself. The aim is to help the dental team understand the context and coordinate with your usual clinician where necessary. Tell reception about anything that could affect appointment timing or your ability to eat as usual.
Do not adjust diabetes treatment on your own
If dental treatment may change your meals, ask in advance how to coordinate the appointment with your existing diabetes plan. Do not skip food or change medicine doses simply because you have a dental booking. Any required changes should be agreed with the clinicians managing your care.
Also tell the team if a painful tooth is already making eating difficult. That practical problem matters even before a procedure is planned.
What can a gum assessment clarify?
Ask whether there is gum inflammation alone or loss of support around the teeth, what treatment is recommended and how the response will be monitored. An umbrella review also found improvements in blood glucose measures after non-surgical periodontal treatment in people with type 2 diabetes and periodontitis. It combines existing reviews, so its findings should not be counted as an entirely separate group of patients. Umbrella review.
The reason to treat gum disease is to address diagnosed disease and protect oral health. Any wider benefit sits alongside, rather than replacing, your usual diabetes care.
Talk to us
For advice about your own teeth and gums, explore our general dental care or book an appointment at Park Road Dental in Cheltenham. You can also call (03) 9584 4949. Tell us what is bothering you when booking so we can help arrange an appropriate visit.
Research behind this article
Frequently asked questions
Will a dental clean cure diabetes?
No. Research concerns treating diagnosed periodontitis in people with diabetes. Continue your usual diabetes care and medicines as directed.
Should I bring my HbA1c result?
If you have a recent result, it can provide useful context. Bring your medicine list and explain any recent changes too.
Do I need to change medicines before a dental visit?
Do not make changes on your own. If treatment affects meals or requires specific planning, coordinate with your dental and diabetes clinicians.
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Park Road Dental — 155 Park Road, Cheltenham. New patients welcome, all major health funds accepted on the spot.
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