29.1 million Americans have diabetes, and that number is rapidly climbing (there were only 26 million in 2010). One in four have diabetes and don’t know it, and more than one in three Americans has pre-diabetes (9). For decades studies have shown a link between diabetes and periodontal disease.
Current data show that 95% of people with diabetes also have periodontal disease (10). Periodontal disease makes it difficult (some experts say it’s impossible) for a diabetic to control blood sugar levels (10). Other studies show evidence that treatment of periodontal disease improves glycemic control in patients with diabetes (12).