Patients with type 2 diabetes are more likely to be deficient in essential nutrients if they have tooth loss and gum problems

With a link between nutrition and oral health identified, the results released during Diabetes Awareness Month in November indicate that it is important for patients with type 2 diabetes to receive dietary advice according to their oral health condition.

The joint study by the Clinic Masae Minami/Minami Diabetes Clinical Research Center and international oral healthcare company Sunstar investigated oral health factors, such as number of teeth, condition of gums, and food and nutrient intake through a brief self-reported questionnaire, as well as physical indicators, including HbA1c and BMI.

The study confirms that there is a strong relationship between oral health and nutrient and food intake in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results identified that individuals with fewer teeth had lower consumption of plant protein and carotenes and were older. And poor gum condition was associated with lower intake of B vitamins (vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, folic acid, and pantothenic acid), vitamin C, total dietary fibre, soluble dietary fibre, and insoluble dietary fibre.