Oral health and characteristics of saliva in diabetic and healthy children

Abstract

Background Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder. Idiopathic destruction of pancreatic beta cells will result in progressive loss of insulin, increase in ketone bodies, PH reduction and changes in bicarbonate neutralizing system in all body fluids including saliva and the oral cavity. Aims The aim of this study was to compare the quality and quantity of saliva and oral health in children and adolescents with diabetes compared to healthy children. Methods In this study, 27 diabetic patients (9 males, 18 females, with age range 7–18) were studied. A control group (27 people) were selected from healthy persons with similar age and sexual conditions. The amount of saliva was evaluated in 5 minutes, by non-stimulant collecting, in plastic vials. The PH and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were measured using paper strip and TAC kit. Oral and dental health was measured using DMFT and MGI indexes. Results Saliva in patients showed less secretion than control group (1.09±0.13, 5.28±0.23, p<0.01), PH (5.28±0.09, 7.11±0.10, p<0.001), and total antioxidant capacity was lower (0.36±0.04, 0.5±0.04, p<0.001) compared to controls group. DMF and MGI indicators were more in patients than in control group (p<0.001). Conclusion Patients with type 1 diabetes had less secretion, PH and antioxidant defence and as a result had more dental and oral problems compared to healthy children that with higher DMFT and MGI these patients require further training in this field and regularly examinations.