Oral Manifestations of Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Comparison of Blood and Salivary Glucose Levels

Background and introductionDiabetes mellitus is a common systemic disease in nearly all countries. Its prevalence has been increasing. Thus, early detection and control of this disorder are urgent tasks. The average blood glucose, salivary glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels must be estimated.Aim and objectiveThis study aimed to assess oral manifestations of type 2 diabetes mellitus in relation to HbA1c and compare glucose levels in the saliva and blood.Materials and methodsThis study examined 60 patients with diabetes who were visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology as well as the Department of Medicine at Vinayaka Mission’s Sankarachariyar Dental College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. In all patients, the blood glucose, saliva glucose, and HbA1c levels were estimated.Results and statistical analysisThe patients (aged 40-60 years) have type 2 diabetes mellitus; among them, patients aged 56-60 years were predominant. In the Pearson correlation analysis, a positive correlation was obtained in random blood glucose, salivary glucose, and HbA1c levels. The p-value was 0.001**, which indicated significance.ConclusionThis study revealed a clear-cut correlation between blood and salivary glucose levels. Thus, salivary glucose levels can very well become a substitute for blood glucose levels. If the estimated salivary glucose level is used in practice to estimate glucose levels in patients with diabetes, the use of any invasive procedures may be avoided.