Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Can Regularly Clean Interdentally to Lower Blood Glucose Levels According to New Study

A joint study from the Clinic Masae Minami/Minami Diabetes Clinical Research Center and Sunstar has uncovered results that may indicate patients with type 2 diabetes have a new pathway to lowering blood glucose levels by way of regular interdental cleaning, according to a press release from Sunstar. This study looked at both oral hygiene and blood glycemic control indicators in 104 patients with type 2 diabetes. These patients had 15 or more natural teeth and attended clinics to record results.

Patients were then encouraged to answer survey questions, ranging from inquiring about how many times a patient brush their teeth in the day to their frequency of dental office visits. Drawing in this data, researchers then tested patients’ blood and urine for HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, insulin, high-sensitivity CRP, and a variety of other glycemic factors. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) gave sufficient data to calculate glucose levels in patients that had more frequent interdental cleaning habits versus patients who had less.

Study results found that patients who cleaned interdentally regularly had lowered their blood glucose levels and patients who did not had higher glucose levels. This led researchers to the conclusion that dental visits along with interdental cleaning can protect teeth from falling out while also maintaining overall health for, not only patients with type 2 diabetes, but all patients.

Sunstar had a particular interest in collaborating on this study after its founder, Kunio Kaneda, passed away from complications relating to diabetes. Out of respect for Kaneda’s legacy, Sunstar aims to further clarify the link between diabetes and oral health, as well as develop dental products that support these, and all other, patients.