Diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease.

One of the most commonly reported oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus is the increased prevalence and severity of periodontal disease. Whereas the periodontal disease of the diabetic patient is clinically similar to that found in nondiabetic individuals, the condition appears to be more severe and poses very serious health problems for the diabetic patient. This article will review the current state of knowledge concerning the relationship of diabetes mellitus to periodontal disease, and will examine the reported incidence and etiology of periodontal disease in the diabetic patient.