[Saliva as a risk factor for caries in diabetic patients]

Saliva is an important factor upon which general health of the oral cavity is dependent and which influences the occurrence of caries. In diabetic patients, xerostomia may occur due to pronounced polyuria in non-regulated and inadequately regulated cases. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of stimulated saliva and salivary pH in diabetic patients and in normal subjects, and to study the possible difference in the occurrence of caries. Results pointed to a significant decrease in the amount of stimulated saliva in insulin dependent diabetics (1.22 ml/min vs. 1.43 ml/min in normal subjects; p less than 0.01). The lowest amount of stimulated saliva was found in non-regulated diabetics (1.00 ml/min). In all diabetic patients, a significantly lower salivary pH was recorded as compared to normal subjects (p less than 0.01). The DMFS index was significantly higher in both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetics as compared to normal subjects (p less than 0.01). Concerning the state of diabetes control, significant differences at the level of p less than 0.01 in the DMFS index were observed among all groups of subjects (normal subjects, and regulated, inadequately regulated and non-regulated diabetics). A decreased salivary flow and pH may represent one from a series of caries risk factors in diabetics, especially in inadequately regulated and non-regulated cases of the disease.