New findings connect chewing efficiency with blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
Researchers from the University of Buffalo have identified a link between how well people chew and how stable their blood sugar remains in type 2 diabetes. The study, reported in PLOS ONE, shows that occlusal efficiency, which is the ability to bite and grind food effectively due to the arrangement and condition of the teeth, relates to lower fasting glucose levels in adults living with type 2 diabetes. This adds to a growing body of evidence that oral health can influence metabolic balance and cardiovascular risk in diabetes management. [Citation: University of Buffalo study, PLOS ONE]
In this study, data from 94 adults with type 2 diabetes who were receiving care at a hospital in Istanbul were analyzed. Participants were divided into two groups based on occlusal function. The first group had a functional bite with a complete or near complete and properly aligned dentition, allowing for effective chewing. This group recorded a mean fasting glucose around 7.48 mmol per liter. The second group, facing tooth loss or misalignment that hindered chewing, showed a higher mean glucose level near 9.42 mmol per liter. The researchers highlighted a broader public health implication: a 1 percent increase in blood glucose is linked to roughly a 40 percent rise in deaths from cardiovascular disease among people with diabetes. This association underscores the potential long term benefits of dental health for heart and vascular outcomes. [Citation: Istanbul patient cohort, occlusal function study]
One illustrative example from this period shows a patient whose chewing ability was severely compromised by extensive tooth loss. After fixed dental prostheses restored a functional bite, the patient’s blood glucose fell from 9.1 mmol per liter to 7.8 mmol per liter within four months, and later dropped further to 6.2 mmol per liter after 18 months. This case demonstrates how improving bite mechanics can influence metabolic control in type 2 diabetes and points to the value of dental implants or prosthetic solutions as part of a comprehensive diabetes management plan. [Citation: 2020 case follow-up, occlusal improvement impact]
Experts note that while the research shows a connection between chewing function and glucose control, it does not establish a universal cause and effect for every patient. Diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and other health conditions all play pivotal roles in blood sugar management. Nevertheless, the data support a broader view of oral health as part of chronic disease care. Clinicians may consider assessing mastication efficiency during regular diabetes evaluations, especially for patients who have tooth loss or misalignment. Dental teams can discuss restorative options that improve comfort and nutrition while potentially contributing to better glycemic outcomes over time. [Citation: clinical interpretation notes, diabetes care guidelines]
For people living with diabetes in North America, a straightforward takeaway emerges: maintaining teeth and good bite alignment can meaningfully influence daily blood sugar control. When dental health issues are left unaddressed, the impact can extend beyond cavities and chewing discomfort to metabolic fluctuations that complicate treatment plans. Patients are encouraged to review their dental status with a dentist or prosthodontist, consider the potential benefits of implants or other restorations, and discuss how such interventions might fit into a broader diabetes management plan. Ongoing research will help clarify the strength of this connection across diverse populations and blood sugar targets. [Citation: implications for practice, diabetes management]