As early as 2016 (Monsarrat et al. 2016), a study outlined a link between periodontitis and 57(!) systemic diseases, the most well-known of these being diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Time and again, these links prompt a discussion about the need for positive cooperation between dentists and doctors in order to improve early diagnosis of specific systemic diseases.

Experiencing cervical tooth sensitivity following periodontal therapy? Here’s what you can do about it! Non-surgical periodontal therapy can unfortunately entail a number of disadvantages, which are the sources of some complaints from our patients time and again. For example, they complain about the longer appearance of their teeth and/or about increased sensitivity of the exposed tooth cervix. Studies have shown that around 60 to 90% of our patients suffer from cervical tooth sensitivity in the period immediately following non-surgical periodontal therapy and that from a third up to a quarter of patients still suffer from cervical tooth sensitivity after 4 to 8 weeks (Lin et al. 2012).

Periodontitis and the related attachment loss inevitably lead to increased tooth mobility after a certain period of time. This increased tooth mobility often makes patients aware that “something is not right,” but for many patients it is also a very unpleasant side effect of periodontal disease and one which can make them feel as if they are losing their teeth.

The links between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis are very well described and documented in the literature. A specific malfunction in the sugar metabolism can occur during pregnancy, which is referred to as gestational diabetes. In Austria, around 5–10% of all pregnant women are affected by gestational diabetes.