[Oral manifestations in diabetes]

As a systemic disease, diabetes mellitus also involves alterations of oral structures as an integral part of the body. A group of 47 diabetics, 34 females and 13 males, mean age 55 years, were included in the study. Mean blood glucose was 12.6 mol/l. Results of clinical studies of oral alterations showed oral symptoms, i.e. xerostomia, to predominate in study subjects, followed by glossopyrosis, stomatopyrosis, gingivitis with hyperkeratosis and exfoliations effecting the tongue and lips. Membranes and ulcerations were less frequent in the group of diabetics under study. Along with the occurrence of metabolic and hormonal disturbances, cardiovascular diseases occupy the first place, followed by locomotor, gastrointestinal, respiratory and renal disturbances.