THE PREVALENCE OF COMMON ORAL COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Objective: To determine the prevalence of common oral complications of diabetes mellitus.
Methodology: A total of 70 patients with diabetes mellitus of at least 1 year duration visiting the outpatient department
were evaluated. History and oral cavity examination were used to determine xerostomia, taste disturbance, dental
caries, fungal infection, bacterial infection and periodontal disease.
Results: Periodontal disease was the most prevalent oral complication, observed in 81.4% of participants. The prevalence
of xerostomia, dental caries and fungal infection was 72.9%, 67.1% and 37.1%, respectively. Taste dysfunction
and bacterial infection were observed in minority of patients. Periodontal disease showed a statistically significant
association with the frequency of teeth brushing (p=0.046).
Conclusion: We conclude that complications affecting the oral cavity are very common in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Key words: Diabetes mellitus, complications, periodontal disease.