Dental caries and diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Diabetes Mellitus has been linked with increased incidence of dental caries. Aim of this study was to compare caries incidence between control group and diabetic patients and to assess whether there is any association between dental caries and salivary glucose level and salivary calcium levels. Study was conducted on 60 subjects; 30 control and 30 diabetics. DFT [Decayed Filled Teeth Score] was assessed for both the groups clinically. Then un-stimulated whole saliva samples from diabetics and control group were collected, stored and frozen at -20C. Saliva samples were then defrosted, centrifuged and their supernatant portion were analyzed by Dimension Clinical Chemistry System for Salivary glucose and calcium levels. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results showed that DFT score was higher among the diabetic patients [2.49] when compared with the control group [0.53]. It was also concluded that salivary glucose levels were higher and salivary calcium levels were lower in the diabetic patients as compared to control group