BIDIRECTIONAL INTERACTION BETWEEN PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND DIABETES MELLITUS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Periodontal disease (PD) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are highly prevalent conditions that maintain a bidirectional relationship capable of influencing the clinical course of both diseases. The growing understanding of this interaction has reinforced the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the care of these patients. This study aimed to gather and discuss the most recent scientific evidence regarding the bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and Diabetes Mellitus, emphasizing its pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical implications, and therapeutic strategies. A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, employing the descriptors "Periodontal Disease," "Diabetes Mellitus," and "Inflammation," combined with the Boolean operator AND. Observational studies, systematic reviews, and controlled clinical trials published between 2024 and 2026 were included, while duplicate articles, studies unrelated to the proposed topic, and those without full-text availability were excluded. The evidence demonstrated that periodontal therapy reduces systemic inflammatory markers and improves glycemic control, whereas adequate management of DM enhances the response to periodontal treatment. Furthermore, emerging therapeutic approaches, including adjunctive therapies and anti-inflammatory medications, have shown promising results. It is concluded that the integration of Medicine and Dentistry, combined with evidence-based strategies, contributes to more effective, individualized management focused on preventing systemic and oral complications.