Impact of detection criteria on coronal and root caries estimates in adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

Dental caries and salivary alterations in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The association between dental caries, salivary alterations, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is inconclusive. This systematic review evaluated the caries status and salivary alterations in adults with T2D.

DATA

Observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies) that evaluated the association between type 2 diabetes and dental caries and/or salivary changes were included.

SOURCES

Systematic searches of PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant literature published up to January 2024 were performed.

STUDY SELECTION

Ninety-eight studies were selected from the 1981 records obtained after screening the databases. Thirty-nine studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in the qualitative synthesis, and twenty-eight of the included studies were suitable for the quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis).

RESULTS

The meta-analysis showed that compared to non-diabetic individuals, type 2 diabetic individuals had higher DMFT (mean difference: 2.27; 95 % CI, 1.31 to 3.22; P < 0.00001). Moreover, type 2 diabetic individuals had lower salivary flow rate (standardized mean difference: -2.62; 95 % CI, -4.38 to -0.86; P = 0.003), salivary pH (standardized mean difference: -1.35; 95 % CI, -1.89 to -0.80; P < 0.00001) and salivary buffering capacity (standardized mean difference: -0.60; 95 % CI, -0.93 to -0.27; P = 0.0004). Whereas DMFT (mean difference: -2.15; 95 % CI, -6.47 to 2.17; P = 0.33) and salivary buffering capacity (standardized mean difference: -0.05; 95 % CI, -0.48 to 0.37; P = 0.80) were not significantly different between individuals with well-controlled diabetes and those with poorly-controlled diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 2 diabetes may lead to an increased index of dental caries and a reduction in salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and salivary buffering capacity in adults.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Individuals with type 2 diabetes exhibit an elevated risk of dental caries and salivary alterations that facilitate the progression of dental caries. It is recommended that dentists and endocrinologists focus their attention on the oral health of this population.

Association Between Diabetes Status, Glycaemic Control and Untreated Root Caries Among United States Adults

PURPOSE

This study explored the association between self-reported diabetes mellitus, glycaemic control, measured by glycohaemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and untreated root caries among U.S. adults, exploring the impact of diabetes status and glycaemic control levels on root caries risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analysing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015 to 2018, we included 7490 participants aged 30 and above. We investigated the association between self-reported diabetes, glycaemic control, and untreated root caries, adjusting for demographic and health-related variables. Weighted logistic regression models estimated untreated root caries odds by diabetes status and HbA1c cutoffs (6.5-9%), adjusting for demographics, health behaviours, BMI, diet, oral health factors.

RESULTS

A significant association was found between higher HbA1c levels and an increased risk of untreated root caries (odds ratio [OR]: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22, p < .05). Self-reported diabetes was not significantly linked to untreated root caries after adjusting for HbA1c and other factors. Glycaemic control thresholds (HbA1c ≥8%) among diabetic participants were associated with higher odds of untreated root caries.

CONCLUSIONS

Poorly controlled diabetes appears to be associated with untreated root caries among U.S. adults. This highlights the greater impact of glycaemic control versus self-reported diabetes on dental health and the need for regular oral screenings for patients with poor glycaemic control.

Evaluation of oral health in different types of diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

It was aimed to compare the relationship between oral health and two types of diabetes mellitus (DM) using laboratory findings and oral health parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This retrospective study was conducted between 2021 and 2022. Type-I and Type-II diabetic patients who had laboratory findings and panoramic radiograph taken on the same day was included to the study. HbA1c, glucose, urea, LDL, HDL, AST, ALT, triglyceride, creatinine, positive and negative microalbuminuria levels on laboratory tests and, the number of root canal treated, missing, filled and decayed tooth on the panoramic radiograph were recorded. The obtained data were compared statistically to evaluate the association between diabetes type and oral health.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients, 51.5 % (n = 52) with Type-I diabetes and 49.5 % (n = 49) with Type-II diabetes, were included. The number of males (53.8 %) in Type-I DM group and the number of females (67.3 %) in Type-II DM group were statistically higher. The mean age of Type-II diabetic patients was higher than Type-I diabetic patients (p < 0.05). While the average number of teeth with caries per patient in the Type-1 diabetes group was 5, the average number of tooth loss per patient in the Type 2 group was 9.

CONCLUSIONS

While Type-I diabetes could be a predisposing factor for dental caries, Type-II diabetes could be a predisposing factor for tooth loss.

Can hyperglycemia be associated with caries activity and root caries in adults?

AIMS

A previous meta-analysis showed that individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) have a greater chance of developing both coronal caries and root caries than systemically healthy ones, which can be influenced by hyperglycemia per se. This study aimed to associate blood and salivary glucose levels with caries.

METHODS

This research is a subset of a cross-sectional study. N = 39 individuals underwent a dental examination and salivary glucose, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) measurements.

RESULTS

The prevalence of active coronal caries was 10.2%, and that of root caries was 20.5%. A1c and FBG averages were higher in individuals with root caries (9.75 ± 1.71 and 186.3 ± 62.5) than without (7.01 ± 2.23 and 115.1 ± 48.6; p < 0.05). Individuals with T2D showed weak correlation of salivary glucose and number of active coronal caries. Significant correlations were observed between salivary and blood glucose. There was relevance of A1c (0.53; CI=0.124-0.941; p = 0.01) and FBG (0.019; CI=0.006-0.033; p = 0.006) toward the increased number of root caries lesions, even after adjustment for salivary flow and age.

CONCLUSION

Blood glucose levels are associated with an increased number of root caries in adults with or without T2D. In individuals with T2D, salivary glucose was correlated with active coronal caries. Additional studies are needed to support this association.