Comparison of Oral Health Indicators in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Controls

Introduction: India leads the world with largest number of diabetic subjects earning the dubious distinction of being termed the ‘diabetes capital of the world’. Oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus are devastating, these include gingival and periodontal diseases, bone loss, dental caries, alterations in salivary flow and others. Materials and methods: In our study, sample consists of 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (study group) and 50 nondiabetic patients (control group) of age range of 35 to 70 years. The oral indicators used in the study are orthopantomogram, decayed-missing-filled teeth index, oral hygiene index-simplified, periodontal index, gingival index, body mass index, waist circumferences, fasting blood sugar, postprandial glucose and random fasting blood sugar should be replaced by random blood sugar. Results: In our study, statistically body mass index (p < 0.01), waist circumference (p < 0.001), periodontal disease index (p < 0.01), gingival index (p < 0.01) and bone loss (p < 0.001) were higher in diabetic group than nondiabetic group and were significant. And, periodontal index of smokers is significantly higher than compared with nonsmokers diabetic patients. Conclusion: The results of present study demonstrate that gingival index, periodontal index and bone loss measurements in diabetic patients are significantly higher than nondiabetic patients. Smoking is also a promoting factor of periodontal disease in diabetic patients.