Can treating Periodontitis help control Diabetes?

Studies at the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine are hoping to link the connection between patients who have chronic Periodontitis, and those who have type 2 diabetes. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Diabetes and Periodontal Therapy Trial will monitor blood sugar levels of those patients with type 2 diabetes after they receive Periodontal therapy. This is the first trial linking the two in the United States. The American Diabetes Association reports that type 2 diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death among Americans, and chronic Periodontitis affects close to half the population over the age of 55- but those who have diabetes are 2-to-4 times more likely to be affected by chronic Periodontitis as well. In the long haul, researchers hope to gain results that indicate a scientific basis for an improvement in the care for patients with diabetes. Please visit the Stony Brook University Medical Center's website for further details, http://biomedme.com/general/does-treating-periodontitis-improve-diabetes-control_38310.html