A Determination of Salivary and Serum Glucose Levels in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: The aim of this work was to determine and compare serum and salivary glucose levels in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study had an overall sample size of 100, which consisted of male and female volunteers aged 30-67 years. Both in-depth interviews and physical tests were conducted. Blood and saliva were collected from the participants while fasting, which were analyzed to determine the levels of salivary alpha-amylase (α-amylase). Both the subjects and the controls were instructed to test their blood glucose levels while fasting and it was suggested that HbA1c values will be used for diagnosing diabetes following the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association, Centers for Disease Control, and World Health Organization. RESULTS: The average age of the control group (Category A) was noted as 47.52±6.28 years, and that of the study group (Category B) was 49.17±7.25 years. In Category A, female (n=23) were 46%, and 54% were male (n=27); and 40% of the people in Category B were female (n=20), and 60% were male (n=30). The majority of patients (54%) in Category B displayed an average level of DM control (n=27), followed by poor control (24%. n=12), well-controlled (20%, n=10), and uncontrolled DM (2%, n=1). Category A had an average salivary α-amylase concentration of 3.1±0.88 U/L, whereas that of Category B was 12.06±2.36 U/L. Thus, the mean salivary α-amylase level of Category B was found to be much higher than that of Category A, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The determination of α-amylase levels in the saliva of individuals suspected of having type II DM has been suggested as a potential diagnostic method. Screenings conducted at healthcare institutions and community health fairs, as well as epidemiological studies, might benefit from this method. We believe that normal clinical practice should include the use of saliva in a broad variety of diagnostic tests.

Multiple Methods of Dentin Translucency for Age Estimation.

Background: Age estimation is an essential part of forensic odontology and many methods are available with variable accuracy. However, the research is going on to find the simple and most reliable method. Objectives: By measuring the length and area of root dentin translucency in extracted tooth specimens manually and digitally, and comparing them, this study aims to find the most reliable technique of age assessment. Materials and Methods: One-hundred and twenty-five single-rooted extracted human permanent teeth were selected for the study. In both unsectioned and sectioned teeth, the total length of root dentin translucency was manually measured using a digital vernier caliper. Then, in a ground-sectioned tooth specimen, the total length and area of root dentin translucency were measured digitally using a scanner scale and computer software. Both the methods were compared. Results: In both manual and digital approaches, the length and area of root dentin translucency grew with age, from younger to older age groups. On comparing the measurements, the correlation coefficient was somewhat higher for digital area measurements than other measurements (r = 0.985). Conclusion: The digital technique outperforms the traditional way for calculating age, and furthermore, measuring the area in the digital method for age estimation has shown to be more accurate.

To Evaluate the Level of Awareness of Patients About Existing Oral Precancerous Lesions: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: The prevalence of oral cancer and other oral premalignant diseases (OPMDs) is increasing. Particularly among lower socioeconomic countries, awareness with respect to oral cancer is quite poor. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the level of awareness of patients about existing oral precancerous lesions. Materials and Methods: Fifty people with existing oral precancerous lesions whose diagnosis was confirmed by a clinician's examination were included in this research. Questions were asked of patients to fill out a questionnaire; those with cancer, non-precancerous red or white lesions, or no lesions in the mouth were not included. Questions on demographics, precancer knowledge, precancer information sources, and tobacco/betel chewing, smoking, and alcohol use were included in the survey. Informed by prior research and knowledge of precancerous lesions and circumstances, a closed-ended questionnaire was developed. Results: The study found that just 44 percent of participants were aware that they had oral lesions or diseases. Self-examination was the most common method (81.82%), followed by inquiring with friends and family (9.09%) and medical professionals (9%). Most patients (41.67 percent) learn about oral precancers via the media, followed by posters and banners (33.33%), friends and family (12.5%), other sources (8.33%), and physicians (4.17%). About half of the patients with oral precancers chewed tobacco for 11 years on average, doing so 4-5 times a day. Another 38% smoked and drank alcohol, also at 4-5 times a day. Oral lichen planus (16%), Oral Submucous fibrosis (12%), and Erythroplakia (12%) were shown to be the next most common oral lesions after tobacco pouch keratosis (30%) and leukoplakia (30%). Conclusion: Research indicates that few people are aware of the existence of oral precancerous lesions or diseases. Patients' awareness of oral precancerous lesions/conditions was shown to be significantly influenced by media such as television, radio, posters, and banners.

Salivary Candida albicans in asthmatic patients taking anti-asthmatic medication.

Anti-asthmatic medication makes the oral habitat susceptible to opportunistic infections like Candida, causing oral candidiasis. This study aimed to estimate salivary Candida Albicans in asthmatic patients taking anti-asthmatics medication. A prospective study was performed at the Oral Pathology and Microbiology Department of S.B. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Bidar, Karnataka, India, between June 2018 to November 2018. The research comprised a total of 100 individuals, 50 of whom were asthmatics, and 50 healthy controls who were age and sex-matched to the asthmatics. Saliva was collected for 5-10 minutes in a sterile container, and samples were transferred to the laboratory in cold chain conditions. Serial dilution was prepared for the saliva samples, and 50:1 standard dilution was inoculated on SAD (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar) culture media by lawn culture method. Some part of the culture plate was inoculated with Candida organisms. 32 people had candida growth, and 18 individuals did not have any candidal development at all. 18 people were in the 400 CFU/ml group, and 32 individuals were in the 401 CFU/ml group, respectively. It was 0.000 in the 400 colony forming unit/milliliter group, and 27200 in the 401 CFU/ml group, with 0.00 being the median. There was a notable difference between study and control groups in terms of colony forming unit per milliliter (P=0.000). The growth of Candida in asthmatics patients is very high compared to healthy people. Anti-asthmatic medication makes the oral habitat prone to attack from opportunistic infections like oral candidiasis.

The Effect of Phase I Therapy on the Clinical Parameters, VSC Levels, and RBS Levels in Chronic Periodontitis Patients With Diagnosed Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is bidirectional. Halitosis or oral malodor has an effect on psychological and social life of persons, and is seen in individuals with diabetes. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out the effect of phase I therapy on the clinical parameters, volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels, and random blood sugar (RBS) levels in chronic periodontitis patients with diagnosed DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 80 patients with diabetes and chronic periodontitis. We collected subgingival plaque samples at 1 week and 1 month after scaling and root planing. The parameters measured were probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level for all the teeth at four sites per each tooth. RBS levels were recorded for all the patients. Malodor was measured with Tanita Breath Checker (Tanita India Private Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India). RESULTS: We found a statistically significant reduction in clinical parameter levels, VSC levels, and N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide (BANA) levels in both the groups from baseline to 4 weeks with highest levels in diabetic chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) and lowest in nondiabetic CGP at baseline. The mean intergroup comparison of BANA levels was statistically significant at all intervals of time between the two the groups. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation observed between oral malodor levels, RBS, and clinical parameters in the diabetic group.