The diet of the average American is cause for great concern in the medical and dental communities. We are eating excessive amounts of fats, starches, and sugars (diets high in trans-fats and simple and complex sugars). Diabetes is developing at an unprecidented rate in our country and millions of people are not aware of their condition. Living with undiagnosed and untreated diabetes can have a very rapid detrimental effect on a person’s health.

Periodontal disease in the normal population is rare before age 20 and increases steadily to 60% in the 45-54 age group. However, thirty percent of 20 year old diabetics have peirodontal disease, reaching 50% by age 35 and 80+% in the 45-54 group. In general, the rate of periodontal disease among diabetics is double the normal population. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the rate of periodontal disease in diabetics is double the rate in the non-diabetic population. Treatment of periodontal disease may reduce the development of diabetes.