Intraoral clinical examination

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 15 views

The Effect of Viscosity and Salivary Buffer in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus on the Occurrence of Dental Caries

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic health condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to disorders in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. This condition is often caused by abnormalities in insulin secretion. Uncontrolled DM patients are at a high risk of experiencing various complications, including oral health problems. Dental caries, a common oral health issue, is a significant concern for DM patients. This study aims to explore the effect of viscosity and buffer of salivary on the degree of dental caries in DM patients.

Background

Dental caries is a widespread oral health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a bacterial infection that causes demineralization of tooth enamel, leading to the formation of cavities. DM patients are more susceptible to dental caries due to several factors, including:

Dry mouth: DM patients often experience dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, which can lead to a decrease in saliva production. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by neutralizing acids, remineralizing teeth, and washing away bacteria.
Poor oral hygiene: DM patients may have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene due to numbness or tingling sensations in their mouth, making it challenging to brush and floss effectively.
Glycemic control: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to an increased risk of dental caries.

Methodology

This study employed an analytical survey method with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 61 Type II DM patients participated in the study, consisting of 42 women and 19 men. The research procedure included:

Intraoral clinical examination: To calculate the DMF-T index, which measures tooth decay, including cavities, pulled, and patched teeth.
Salivary viscosity measurement: To assess the viscosity of saliva visually.
Salivary buffer test: To test the salivary buffer using a buffer test strip.

Results

The analysis showed that:

77.0% of DM patients experienced dental caries, while only 23.0% did not experience these problems.
80.3% of subjects had poor salivary viscosity.
67.2% of patients showed low salivary buffer rates.

Statistical Analysis

The statistical test using Pearson Chi-Square revealed significant results related to the effect of salivary viscosity on the occurrence of dental caries (p < 0.05, p = 0.000). Additionally, the effect of salivary buffer on dental caries also showed significant results (p = 0.020). This finding confirms that the two factors - viscosity and salivary buffer - are significantly contributing to the risk of dental caries in DM patients.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of better oral care for DM patients, including the management of blood sugar levels and attention to their salivary health. The findings suggest that DM patients have a high risk of experiencing dental caries, mainly caused by poor salivary viscosity and low salivary buffer rates. Therefore, it is essential to implement effective oral health strategies to prevent more serious dental complications later on and improve the patient's overall quality of life.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Regular dental check-ups: DM patients should undergo regular dental check-ups to monitor their oral health and address any issues promptly.
Good oral hygiene practices: DM patients should practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, and using a fluoride mouthwash.
Salivary stimulation: DM patients can stimulate saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy.
Glycemic control: DM patients should maintain good glycemic control by following their treatment plan and monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly.

By implementing these recommendations, DM patients can reduce their risk of dental caries and maintain good oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Viscosity and Salivary Buffer in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus on the Occurrence of Dental Caries

Q: What is the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and dental caries?

A: DM patients are at a high risk of experiencing dental caries due to several factors, including dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, and glycemic control. The study found that 77.0% of DM patients experienced dental caries, while only 23.0% did not experience these problems.

Q: What is the role of salivary viscosity in dental caries?

A: Salivary viscosity plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by neutralizing acids, remineralizing teeth, and washing away bacteria. The study found that 80.3% of subjects had poor salivary viscosity, which is a significant contributing factor to the risk of dental caries in DM patients.

Q: What is the significance of salivary buffer in dental caries?

A: Salivary buffer helps to maintain the pH level in the mouth, preventing the demineralization of tooth enamel. The study found that 67.2% of patients showed low salivary buffer rates, which is a significant contributing factor to the risk of dental caries in DM patients.

Q: How can DM patients reduce their risk of dental caries?

A: DM patients can reduce their risk of dental caries by:

Regular dental check-ups: To monitor their oral health and address any issues promptly.
Good oral hygiene practices: Brushing and flossing regularly, and using a fluoride mouthwash.
Salivary stimulation: Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva production.
Glycemic control: Maintaining good glycemic control by following their treatment plan and monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly.

Q: What are the implications of this study for dental care professionals?

A: This study highlights the importance of considering the oral health needs of DM patients. Dental care professionals should:

Conduct regular oral health assessments: To identify any oral health issues early on.
Develop personalized treatment plans: Based on the patient's oral health needs and DM status.
Educate patients on good oral hygiene practices: To help them maintain good oral health and reduce their risk of dental caries.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study only included 61 Type II DM patients, which may not be representative of the larger DM population.
Cross-sectional design: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the temporal relationships between DM and dental caries.

Q: What are the future directions for research on this topic?

A: Future research should aim to:

Investigate the temporal relationships: Between DM and dental caries using longitudinal studies.
Explore the effects of different treatments: On the oral health outcomes of DM patients.
Develop evidence-based guidelines: For the management of oral health in DM patients.