Glycated Albumin Levels in Relation to Dental Caries, Mutants Streptococci Lactobacilli and Salivary Status of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the serious systemic diseases that may cause general systemic changes, which may be reflected in the oral cavity. The aims of this study were to assess the severity of dental caries, Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli in addition to the flow rate and pH among uncontrolled and controlled type 2 diabetic groups in comparison with non-diabetic control group. Materials and Methods: Study groups consisted of 25 uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c >7), 25 controlled diabetic patients (HbA1c <7), in addition to 25 nondiabetic healthy looking individuals. Their age was (18-22) years from both genders. The diagnosis and recording of dental caries were according to the severity of dental caries lesion through the application of D1_4MFS and stimulated salivary samples were collected. The salivary flow rate and pH were estimated. Viable count of Mutans streptococci (on Mitis- Salivarius Bacitracin Agar) and Lactobacilli (on Rogosa) was determined. Results: The mean values of caries severity were recorded to be highest among study groups compared to the control with statistically highly significant difference (p<0.01). Lowest values of salivary pH and flow rate were among study groups compared to the control with highly significant difference (p<0.01). Concerning Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli were found that the mean values of them for uncontrolled diabetic group were highly significant higher than both mean values of controlled diabetic group and control group. Conclusion: Dental caries revealed higher percentage of occurrence and severity among uncontrolled diabetic group. Furthermore, there was significant influence of the diabetic and the poor metabolic control on the salivary flow rat, pH, Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli that have an effect on caries occurrence and severity.