What are 93% of people with gum disease at risk for?

• A. Diabetes
• B. Hypertension
• C. Stroke
• D. Kidney disease

Answer: (A)

Periodontal disease signals a broader inflammatory state that can disrupt how the body handles glucose. The chronic gum infection releases inflammatory mediators that contribute to insulin resistance, making type 2 diabetes more likely to develop in someone with gum disease. That strong, direct link is why diabetes is the best answer among the options. While hypertension, stroke, and kidney disease often occur with diabetes or share risk factors, they are not the specific risk most closely tied to gum disease itself in this context. In practice, spotting gum disease should prompt consideration of checking metabolic health and screening for diabetes, reflecting the real connection between oral and systemic health.