Hyperglycaemia associated with root caries, study reveals

High blood glucose levels are associated with an increased number of root caries in adults with or without type 2 diabetes, latest research demonstrates.

During the study, a total of 39 adults underwent a dental examination, as well as salivary glucose, fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin measurements.

According to the results, the prevalence of active coronal caries was 10.2 per cent, and that of root caries was 20.5 per cent.

The findings also show that glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels were higher in individuals with root caries compared to those without.

The study states: “Individuals with type 2 diabetes 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 glycated haemoglobin (0.53; CI=0.124–0.941; p = 0.01) and fasting blood glucose (0.019; CI=0.006–0.033; p = 0.006) towards the increased number of root caries lesions, even after adjustment for salivary flow and age.”

Previous meta-analysis has found that people with type 2 diabetes have a greater chance of developing both coronal caries and root caries than systemically healthy ones, which can be influenced by hyperglycaemia.

To read the study, click here.