Scientists from the University of Buffalo have found that the ability to properly chew food is associated with better blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The research was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The scientists analyzed the data of 94 type 2 diabetes patients observed at a hospital in Istanbul. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group included those with good occlusal function – a sufficient number of correctly placed teeth and in contact so that a person can chew food well. The mean blood sugar level of this group was 7.48 mmol/l.
The second group could not chew well because some or all of these teeth were missing; blood sugar levels were almost 2% higher, at 9.42 mmol/L. Scientists noted that a 1% increase in blood sugar levels was associated with a 40% increase in cardiovascular disease deaths in people with diabetes.
The significant improvement in one patient described in the 2020 study demonstrates the potential benefit of improved occlusal function with dental implants. In this study, the blood glucose level of the patient whose chewing function was severely impaired due to missing teeth was 9.1 mmol/l. The glucose level fell to 7.8 mmol/l 4 months after the implantation of the fixed prostheses and to 6.2 mmol/l after 18 months.