A clinical study published in Diabetes Spectrum reports that adults with type 2 diabetes who clean between their teeth at least three times a week have more stable 24-hour blood glucose levels and spend more time within the healthy range of 70–180 mg/dL. According to the research, adults with 20 or more natural teeth also showed lower glucose levels throughout the day.
The study, conducted by Sunstar Group, Clinic Masae Minami, and the Minami Diabetes Clinical Research Center, examined how daily oral care routines relate to glucose management and whether inflammation might play a role in the connection. A total of 104 adults with type 2 diabetes were monitored for 14 days using arm-mounted continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors, along with blood testing and surveys about oral care habits, including toothbrushing, interdental cleaning, and dental visits.
According to the research, participants who practiced interdental cleaning three or more times weekly had higher Time in Range (TIR), lower Glucose Management Indicator (GMI) values, lower fasting glucose, and steadier day-to-day glucose profiles. Individuals with 20 or more natural teeth demonstrated more favorable 24-hour glucose profiles compared with those who had fewer teeth.
The study compared CGM-measured glucose levels and management indicators among groups based on oral hygiene habits. Participants who brushed twice daily, visited the dentist more often, or performed interdental cleaning more frequently showed lower median glucose values throughout the day. These differences remained statistically significant even after adjustments for gender and age.
According to the findings, 61% of participants reported regular dental visits, 78% brushed at least twice daily, and 71% performed interdental cleaning weekly. More frequent dental visits were linked to lower HbA1c, fasting glucose, and body mass index, while frequent brushing correlated with lower body mass index and reduced markers of systemic inflammation. Frequent interdental cleaning was associated with lower fasting glucose, lower GMI, and higher TIR, suggesting possible mechanisms beyond inflammation.
Dr. Yasutaka Maeda, diabetes specialist at Clinic Masae Minami and director of the Minami Diabetes Clinical Research Center, said: “This study demonstrated a strong relationship between daily oral hygiene practices and glucose management. Dietitian-led oral hygiene assessments conducted in this study prompted patients to better understand periodontal disease, leading to more dental visits.
“Nurses are also now utilizing Oral Frailty Check Sheets to address aging-related issues in diabetes care and establishing a smooth medical-dental collaboration system within our clinic. More healthcare facilities are expected to implement similar collaborations by utilizing these research findings which clearly communicate the importance of oral care for people with diabetes.”
The research authors noted that while the study was cross-sectional, the results show that interdental cleaning and maintaining natural teeth may contribute to steadier glucose levels. Integrating dental care into diabetes management could offer a practical, low-cost approach to improving both oral and systemic health.
The study, “Oral hygiene practices and glucose profiles assessed through continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 2 diabetes,” was published in Diabetes Spectrum (DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/ds25-0015). Authors include Kayo Harada, Yasutaka Maeda, Dan Sekiguchi, Atsushi Ishikado, Mayu Hayashi Suzuki, Ayumi Tamura, and Masae Minami.
Sunstar Group, headquartered in Switzerland and founded in Osaka, Japan in 1932, operates consumer and industrial businesses with a focus on health and oral care products distributed in more than 100 countries. Clinic Masae Minami is a specialist diabetes clinic in Fukuoka, Japan, and the Minami Diabetes Clinical Research Center conducts research using real-world clinical data to develop personalized diabetes treatments.
