Oral Health Messiers: Diabetes Mellitus Relevance

Abstract

This article aims to narrate the various oral complications in individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus. Google search for “diabetes mellitus and oral complications” was done. The search was also carried out for “diabetes mellitus” and its oral complications individually. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that is a global epidemic and a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the world today. Currently, there are about 422 million cases of diabetes mellitus worldwide. Diabetic patients can develop different complications in the body such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease. Complications in the oral cavity have been observed in individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus. A study noted that more than 90% of diabetic patients suffered from oral complications. Another research has shown a greater prevalence of oral mucosal disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus than non-diabetic population: 45–88% in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to 38.3–45% in non-diabetic subjects and 44.7% in type 1 diabetic individuals compared to 25% in the non-diabetic population. Oral complications in people with diabetes are periodontal disease, dental caries, oral infections, salivary dysfunction, taste dysfunction, delayed wound healing, tongue abnormalities, halitosis, and lichen planus. The high glucose level in saliva, poor neutrophil function, neuropathy, and small vessel damage contribute to oral complications in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes. Good oral health is imperative for healthy living. Oral complications cause deterioration to the quality of life in diabetic patients. Complications like periodontal disease having a bidirectional relationship with diabetes mellitus even contribute to increased blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. This article intends to promote awareness regarding the oral health of diabetics and to stress the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene, taking preventive measures, early detection, and appropriate management of oral complications of these patients through a multidisciplinary approach.

Plain Language Summary

• Diabetes Mellitus, a global epidemic, is a matter of grave concern worldwide and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

• Oral complications are among the many complications suffered by diabetic patients, including periodontal disease, Dental caries, oral infections, salivary dysfunction, taste dysfunction, delayed wound healing, tongue abnormalities, halitosis, and lichen planus.

• Diabetes Mellitus and oral complications are interrelated, and in conditions like periodontal diseases, the relationship is bidirectional.

• Taste dysfunctions in Diabetes Mellitus often lead to increased sugar consumption, causing further deterioration in glycemic control in diabetic individuals.

• Discomfort experienced by diabetic patients when they suffer from oral complications may discourage oral hygiene due to pain or irritation in the oral cavity.

• Knowledge regarding oral complications is often inadequate among people with diabetes, and creating awareness is imperative in diabetic individuals about the relationship between diabetes and oral health.

• Diabetic patients need to be educated about these complications, encouraged to maintain oral hygiene, and to pay regular visits to diabetic caregivers and dentists.

• Oral complication prevention, early detection, and appropriate management can only be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach. Dental surgeons and physicians interact effectively to provide the optimum care needed by individuals with Diabetes Mellitus to maintain good oral health free of complications.

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus is a non-communicable metabolic disorder that is chronic where there is derangement of insulin action, secretion, or both. A lack of Insulin results in disturbed carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. There are genetic and environmental factors at play for the development of Diabetes Mellitus. The decrease in insulin secretion, reduction in glucose utilization, or increased gluconeogenesis ultimately result in hyperglycemia and harmful changes in different organs.^1,2

The general categories into which diabetes is classified are as follows: a) Type 1 diabetes b) Type 2 diabetes (c) Diabetes of specific types resulting from other causes like exocrine pancreas disease, chemical or drug-induced diabetes, monogenic diabetes syndrome (d) Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.³ In the world at present, 422 million people are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. Every year there are 1.6 million fatalities linked directly to diabetes.⁴ As per data obtained in studies done throughout the world, an estimation has been made by the International Diabetes Federation that by the year 2045, there will be about 693 million cases of diabetes in the age range of 18–99 years.⁵

Complications related to diabetes are predicted to significantly impact the economy and society as the prevalence of the disease grows.^6–10 The acute complications of diabetes include ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia. Examples of chronic disease complications are retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and nephropathy.^11–14

The oral cavity is one of the regions of the body affected by chronic hyperglycemia. Complications arising in the oral cavity due to Diabetes Mellitus result from poor neutrophil function, microangiopathy, neuropathy, collagen synthesis reduction, and collagenase activity reduction.¹⁵ A study noted that more than 90% of diabetic patients suffered from oral complications.¹⁶ Another systemic review has observed a greater prevalence of oral mucosal disorders in patients with Diabetes Mellitus compared to the non-diabetic population: 45–88% in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared to 38.3–45% in non-Diabetic subjects and 44.7% in type 1 diabetic individuals compared to 25% in the non-Diabetic population.¹⁷ Tooth decay, gingivitis, oral candidiasis, altered taste, geographic tongue, fissured tongue, dry mouth, the tendency of infection, oral lichen planus, and poor healing of wound are complications of the oral cavity resulting from Diabetes Mellitus.^18–23

Periodontal disease is among the oral complications of Diabetes Mellitus, which worsens due to hyperglycemia. At the same time, systemic inflammation due to periodontitis deteriorates blood glucose levels in diabetic individuals, thus showing a bidirectional relationship.²⁴ Diabetes Mellitus affects the prevalence and incidence of periodontal disease. Formation of deep pockets and loss of attachment is typical in uncontrolled diabetes, and there is a high prevalence rate of periodontitis among diabetic patients of 34%-68%.^25,26 Compared to healthy individuals, the risk of losing alveolar bone is 11 times more in uncontrolled diabetes.¹⁸

Xerostomia is the dryness of the mouth that has been observed in diabetic patients. A meta-analysis of 32 studies reported that the prevalence of xerostomia was 46.09% in patients with diabetes, while another study found that 92.5% of diabetic patients suffered from the reduced salivary flow.^27,28 This complication eventually results in dysgeusia, dental caries, oral pain, dysphagia, which tends to lower the quality of life of diabetic individuals.^28–31

Diabetic patients are susceptible to oral infections and delayed wound healing.^32,33 A high glucose level in the oral cavity and immunocompromised condition in uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus facilitate oral bacterial infections.^18,32 Delayed wound healing in Diabetes Mellitus may be attributed to damaged small blood vessels and weakened protection against infection and inflammation.^33–35

Diabetic patients also suffer from dental caries due to hyposalivation and high salivary glucose level that promotes the growth of bacteria responsible for dental caries.^36–38 These patients may develop oral complications like taste dysfunction in which diabetic patients’ ability to distinguish taste sensations diminishes;^39–41 Burning Mouth Syndrome is a neuropathic orofacial condition of pain.⁴² Fissured tongue, atrophic glossitis, rhomboid glossitis, benign migratory glossitis are the abnormalities of the tongue suffered by diabetic patients.^23,43,44 diabetic individuals also suffer from Halitosis or bad breath, oral lichen planus, and oral lichenoid reaction (Figure 1). ^45–49

Figure 1.

Complications of oral cavity in diabetes mellitus.

Objectives of the Study

Individuals with diabetes suffer from many complications. Oral complications affect the quality of life of diabetic patients negatively.⁵⁰ However, knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding this issue are often inadequate among diabetic patients and diabetic caregivers.^51–53 The objective of this study is to relate the various oral complications of Diabetes Mellitus and highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach through effective interaction between dentists and physicians towards developing awareness among diabetic individuals about oral hygiene checkups, prevention, and management of oral complications.

Materials and Methods

This narrative review focuses on identifying oral complications in Diabetes Mellitus and the possible pathology leading to these complications. The study was carried out between March and May 2021. Electronic database search was done using Google search engine, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct. Reference lists in related articles were also searched to obtain more articles on the topics. Keywords used to reach related articles were “Diabetes,” “Oral complications,” “Oral Manifestations in Diabetes Mellitus,” “Dental Caries,” “Periodontitis,” “Taste alteration,” “Xerostomia,” “Burning Mouth Syndrome.” Articles and literature on those dating before 2000 and articles not available in English were excluded from the study. Relevant articles were hand-searched before being included in the study.

Periodontal Disease in Diabetes Mellitus

Lang NP and Bartold PM defined periodontal health in 2017 as

A state free from inflammatory periodontal disease that allows an individual to function normally and not suffer any consequences (mental or physical) as a result of past disease.

There are 4 categories of periodontal health, which include a) pristine periodontal health, defined as the total absence of clinical inflammation and physiological immune surveillance on a periodontium with normal support (no attachment or bone loss) (b) clinical periodontal health in which there is an absence or minimum level of clinical inflammation in periodontium having normal support (c) periodontal disease with reduced stability in a periodontium (d) periodontal disease remission/control in a reduced periodontium.⁵⁴

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition induced by pathogenic biofilm that accumulates on tooth⁵⁵ Gram-negative bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola has been suggested to be the primary causative agents for periodontitis.^56,57 P-gingivalis can trigger inflammatory loss of periodontal bone.⁵⁸ DNA and lipopolysaccharides from these bacteria cause inflammatory cytokine production by activating nuclear factor κβ (NFκβ) and activating protein-1 pathways.^59,60 Cytokines cause chemoattraction of neutrophils with an enhancement of ROS production, and NFκβ and AP-1 activate osteoclast resulting in tissue damage (Figure 2).^61–63

Figure 2.

Bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus.

Increased levels of glucose in crevicular fluid in diabetes may promote the growth of specific microbial species.⁶⁴ Diabetic patients with periodontitis have been noted to have a significantly higher level of local mediators of inflammation like TNFα, IL-1β, prostaglandin E_2, which causes prolonged osteoclast formation and activity.^65–67 Interleukin overexpression in diabetes promotes osteoclast genesis and thus prolongs inflammatory response duration.^68,69 There is also overexpression of RANKL, which interacts with receptors on osteoclast surface and induces osteoclast formation and activity.^56,70

In Diabetes Mellitus, there is enhanced formation of AGE which interacts with RAGE. This, in turn, promotes osteoclast genesis through increased formation of RANKL receptor activator.⁷¹ AGE-RAGE interaction also activates NFκβ and increases the production of inflammatory cytokines.⁷² Neutrophils of diabetic patients release more super-oxides than normal individuals.⁷³ Increased ROS plays a significant role in the destruction of periodontal tissue through oxidative stress.⁶⁴ TNFα, AGEs, and ROS formation lead to apoptosis of osteoblast in diabetes.⁷⁴ Periodontal infection causes apoptosis of epithelial cells and fibroblast, facilitated in Diabetes Mellitus through a caspase-3-dependent mechanism.⁷⁵ The enhancement and apoptosis that occur in Diabetes Mellitus result in loss of epithelial barrier function and inhibition of repair.^76,77

People suffering from uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus are susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease that includes a range of gingiva, ligament, and bone conditions that support teeth.^78,79 Bacteria in dental plaque initiate local inflammation of the gingiva that, if remain untreated, progress to chronic periodontitis with gingival, ligament, bone loss that form “pockets” in deeper parts of the periodontium. This may lead to tooth loss.⁸⁰.

The outcome of periodontal diseases is affected by hyperglycemia, and at the same time, periodontitis affects glucose levels in the blood adversely. This causes diabetic complications to deteriorate.²⁴ An increase in cytokines in saliva and crevicular fluid of gingival, periodontal tissue; oxidative stress with a release of end products of advanced glycation in the hyperglycemic state eventually destroy periodontium due to excessive inflammation.⁸¹ Diabetes also causes an increase in RANKL expression and impairment of new bone formation in the periodontium.⁸²

On the other hand, control of blood glucose in Type 2 diabetic patients deteriorates due to periodontal disease. It induces systemic inflammation through pro-inflammatory cytokine release that causes insulin resistance and bacteremia.⁸³ The inflamed periodontium act as a chronic source for bacteria, its products, and mediators of inflammation like TNF α, IL 1, and IL 6 that affect glucose metabolism.⁸⁴ The systemic inflammatory cytokines released due to periodontal inflammation also induce insulin resistance by destroying pancreatic β cells, insulin action antagonism and alteration of intracellular signaling of insulin through NFβ.⁸⁵ Improvement of glycemic control was observed in Type2 diabetic patients who received dental treatment when compared to those diabetic patients who did not obtain dental treatment for periodontal disease.⁸⁶ In a meta-analytic study performed with nine randomized clinical trials, improvement of glycemic control was observed in Diabetes Mellitus patients who received non-surgical treatment of periodontium when compared to those diabetic patients who did not undergo dental treatment for periodontal disease.⁸⁷

Salivary Dysfunction

The subjective problem of mouth dryness is Xerostomia, and the objective reduction of the flow of saliva is hyposalivation.²⁹ There are several systemic disorders related to Xerostomia, including Diabetes Mellitus, inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome), metabolic conditions (anemia, bulimia, dehydration), infections (HCV, HIV/AIDS), neurological disease (Parkinson’s disease, depression), and other conditions like sarcoidosis.^29,88,89 Studies have found a relationship between Diabetes Mellitus (both Type 1 and Type 2) and Xerostomia.^28,30,31 In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, complications like autonomic neuropathy, changes in the structure of salivary glands, inflammatory change due to hyperglycemia may be a possible cause of the development of Xerostomia.^15,90 This may lead to a decrease in the flow rate and composition of saliva.⁹¹ Patients with Xerostomia suffer from glossitis, cervical caries, buccal mucosa dryness, peeled and cracked lips. The individual’s quality of life with Xerostomia deteriorate as the patient eventually develops dysgeusia, dental caries, periodontal disease, oral pain, and dysphagia.²⁹

Infections of the Oral Cavity

Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus are susceptible to oral cavity infections since these patients are immunocompromised (due to defense function impairment).^91,92 The bacteria combine with food in teeth forming plaque and result in halitosis, gingivitis, dental caries, and mouth sores.³² In the case of oral infection in diabetic individuals, the commonly found bacteria in the oral cavity are P. gingivalis, Propionibacterium acnes, Actinomyces israelii, Peptostreptococcus prevotii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Streptococcus sanguis, Prevotella intermedia, and Streptococcus intermedius. The high level of glucose in the saliva of diabetic patients encourages bacterial growth.¹⁸ Bacterial infections in uncontrolled diabetes may recur and spread from the oral cavity to the rest of the body. Deep neck infections have been observed in diabetic individuals in previous studies.^93–97

Poor Wound Healing of the Oral Cavity

There is poor healing of oral wounds in patients having uncontrolled diabetes with associated long-term complications.³³ Chronic complications of diabetes result from small blood vessel damage.³⁴ Lack of proper blood supply hinders nutrient supply to cells that perform an inflammatory function and defend against infective agents.⁹² Inflammation removes dead or damaged tissues, thus allowing healthy tissue to take its place. Temporary spikes in blood sugar cause body defense cells to become paralyzed, resulting in weak protection against infection and inflammatory processes. The tissue healing and regenerative functions are hampered in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes due to hyperglycemia.^33,35

Dental Caries

Dental caries is an infectious disease of the teeth in which tooth structure is demineralized due to bacteria, mainly Streptococci mutans, that adheres to the tooth by producing acid from sugar. There are multiple factors like microbial flora: cariogenic, fermentable sugar, environmental factors that trigger dental caries (Figure 3).⁹⁸ Some studies previously carried out have observed a relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and the formation of dental caries.^28,99 Presence of high glucose level in saliva, decreased saliva flow, alteration of biochemical nature of saliva, salivary buffering effect reduction, bad oral hygiene, cariogenic diet, and existing dental plaque have been associated with dental caries formation in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.¹⁰⁰ Those taking sugar without any restriction are more prone to developing dental caries than those with well-controlled blood glucose levels.⁴³ Dental caries occurring in the cementum of teeth become familiar with increasing age, and caries of the radicular part of the tooth have been noted in older patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.³⁴ In a study to observe Type 1 diabetes patients’ oral hygiene compared to control, hyposalivation was mentioned as a reason for poor oral hygiene in Type 1 diabetic patients.¹⁰¹ A study done in 2017 observed that sugar-free toothpaste in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus decreased salivary glucose level and increased salivary pH and suggested strict control of blood glucose level to maintain oral hygiene.¹⁰²

Figure 3.

Vicious cycle of diabetes mellitus and formation of dental caries, periodontal disease.

Patients with Diabetes Mellitus are especially prone to developing dental caries due to hyposalivation and raised glucose levels in saliva, which may be the outcome of Insulin deficiency.³⁶ In people with diabetes, saliva loses protective, buffering as well as cleansing function.³⁷ Damage to microvasculature results in changes in the salivary gland basement membrane. Hence, glucose leakage from cells of the duct escalates, leading to a rise in glucose levels in saliva and crevicular space. As a consequence of this change, the activity of fibroblast decreases, resulting in increased plaque formation. Glucose in the saliva is converted by dental plaque into lactic acid, lowering salivary pH.^103,104 Aciduric bacterial growth is enhanced in this low pH, and the proliferation of acidogenic bacteria suppresses the oral protective bacteria. There is a shift in the balance of the natural environment, which favors the bacteria responsible for dental caries. This then further decreases pH, and the cycle continues to repeat.^37,38

Taste Dysfunctions

Recognition of food taste plays a vital role in a person’s food choices, nutrition, life quality and may even be responsible for chronic disease development.¹⁰⁵ There is a minimum of five modalities of taste sensation that include sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami.¹⁰⁶ The sensation of taste is sensed by receptor cells of taste present in taste buds and papillae in the oral cavity. Following interaction between taste molecules and taste receptors, signals are transmitted utilizing the cranial nerve to the brain.¹⁰⁷ In case of dysfunction of one or more taste receptors that alter taste perception, may lead to unhealthy eating habits.¹⁰⁸ Studies have shown that distinction and recognition of taste sensation decrease in Diabetes Mellitus (type 1 and type 2).^39–41 Impairment of taste has also been observed in diabetic individuals without neuropathy.¹⁰⁹

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome has been recognized by The International Association for the Study of Pain as a neuropathic orofacial condition of pain with oral mucosal burning pain that commonly affects anterior 2/3rd of the tongue lacking visible pathology of the mucosa.⁴² There is a tingling, burning sensation in the mucosa of the oral cavity without any recognizable cause.¹¹⁰ This syndrome has been observed in 18.8% of type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.¹¹¹ Another study found uncontrolled diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy as strong predictors of Burning mouth syndrome-like symptoms in type 2 diabetic patients.⁴² A study carried out in 2019 to compare the Trigeminal nerve nociceptive function of the oral cavity of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and healthy individuals found increased excitability of trigeminal nerve in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This can cause hyperesthesia and pain sensation in the oral cavity of diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.¹¹² Those individuals suffering from long-term burning pain in the mouth have difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, leading to further deterioration in oral health in diabetic patients.⁴³

Tongue Abnormalities

The tongue is an organ composed of muscles having fungiform, filiform, and vallate papillae. It has several functions like taste function utilizing taste buds present on papillae, facilitating speech, and moving food within the oral cavity with bolus formation for swallowing.¹¹³ Patients with Diabetes Mellitus may suffer from tongue abnormalities. A study in 2019 found the presence of blueish tongue with thick yellow fur in type 2 diabetic individuals and suggested screening of the tongue for early detection of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.¹¹⁴

An abnormality found in diabetic individuals is fissured tongue. This condition is characterized by grooves with depth and size variation on the dorsal tongue surface. Symptoms appear when debris becomes trapped in these fissures.^43,115 In the study in 2015, reported fissured tongue was found to have an association with Diabetes Mellitus.¹¹⁵ Fissured tongue formation may result from Xerostomia and decreased salivary flow rate.¹¹⁶

Atrophic glossitis is a condition of the tongue in which there is the absence of fungiform and filiform papillae on the tongue’s dorsal surface, which eventually alters the tongue’s appearance and texture, making it smooth and soft. In diabetes mellitus, candida infection in the oral cavity results in the formation of rhomboid glossitis.⁴⁴ This glossitis is marked by an erythematous tongue lesion anterior to the circumvallate papillae. The rhomboid-shaped lesion is found on the dorsal surface of the tongue along the midline, which is depapillated, having a shiny, smooth surface, and also referred to as a kissing lesion.¹¹⁷

Benign Migratory Glossitis is also found in patients with Diabetes Mellitus.¹¹³ This condition is benign and marked by redness (erythema), filiform papillae atrophy, lined by a serpiginous, white, hyperkeratosis border.²³

Halitosis

Halitosis or bad breath is one of the early diabetes symptoms, a typical ketone smell in people with diabetes. Periodontal disease may also lead to sulfide compound odor. Increased levels of fatty acid and methyl nitrate in blood cause oxidative stress that leads to Halitosis.⁴⁵ A study done in 2015 has found that 23.3% of the diabetic study recruits suffered from halitosis.¹¹⁸

Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Reaction

Lichen Planus is a chronic inflammatory lesion of the skin.¹¹⁹ The lesion is characterized by polygonal, violaceous flat-topped plaques and papules that are pruritic and can appear in different areas of the body, including the oral cavity. The lesion in the oral cavity appears as white raised lines forming a lace-like pattern that is symmetrical and bilateral.¹²⁰ Studies have found oral lichen planus to be present in patients with diabetes.^46,47 Another mucosa-related change that may have an adverse effect on oral hypoglycemic agents prescribed to diabetic patients is an oral lichenoid reaction.^48,49 Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune disease in which apoptosis of basal cells of the epithelium of the oral cavity occurs mediated by cytotoxic T cells.¹²¹ Those suffering from oral lichen planus may complain of discomfort and burning sensation in the mouth that can cause feeding and swallowing difficulty.⁴⁸ Oral lichen planus has malignant potential, so it is vital to diagnose and manage it to prevent oral squamous cell carcinoma development.⁴⁹

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Oral Complications

Previous studies have shown that diabetic patients were not aware of the bidirectional connection between periodontal disease and Diabetes Mellitus and had limited oral health risk knowledge.^122–126 In a recent study performed in 2017 on the diabetes care provider’s knowledge and practices in oral health care, several obstacles prevented the caregivers from providing effective management. These included lack of guideline/oral health checking instruments, proper referral system, and inadequate knowledge on bidirectional diabetes – oral health relationship.⁵³ However, it has been observed from past studies that reception of information about oral health from care providers and better education in this area have shown to result in good knowledge of oral health in diabetic patients.^126,127 Patients who are informed better regarding diabetes and oral health link take up positive behavior towards oral health.¹²⁸

Other Major Complication of Diabetes Mellitus

Among the major complications of Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic neuropathies (a heterogeneous group of disorders) are the most prevailing. Diabetic neuropathies like Diffuse neuropathy include distal symmetric polyneuropathy (the most common form of Diabetic peripheral neuropathy) and Autonomic neuropathy; Mononeuropathy; Radiculopathy.^129,130 The most dominant form of Diabetic neuropathy accounting for about 75% of the complication is DSPN.^131,132 Some factors that may increase the risk of developing Diabetic peripheral neuropathy include age, duration of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy.¹³³ About half of diabetic patients may suffer from Diabetic neuropathy.¹³⁴ Oxidative stress, inflammation, damage to small blood vessels supplying nerves (vasa nervorum), and neuronal injury and damage due to metabolic disturbance are the possible cause of pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.^{129,135–137} In diabetic peripheral neuropathy, there is neuropathic pain burning, shooting, tingling, or lancinating in nature, occurring along with paresthesia worsening during the night. There may be an exaggerated response to stimuli of pain and pain upon contact with, for example, footwear and bedclothes. Such pain may disrupt daily functioning, disability, and negative impact on the quality of life.^138–140

Cardiovascular complications such as cardiac myopathy and peripheral arterial disease are often diagnosed at the later stage of the disease in diabetic patients.¹⁴¹ Advanced atherosclerotic changes have been observed in coronary arteries in both obstructive and nonobstructive coronary stenosis in Type 2 diabetic patients.^142,143 Complications also include loss of function of regeneration in myocardial muscle and produces acute coronary syndrome.¹⁴³ Response to vasoactive amines is altered that results in adverse cardiac effect.^142–144 There is a disturbance in genesis and propagation of action potential in cardiac muscle leading to mechanisms of automaticity and re-entry, therefore causing arrhythmias in atria and ventricle. Congestive heart failure in Diabetes Mellitus occurs at a high rate as there is pump failure due to cardiac muscle abnormalities occurring due to inflammation and cardiac fibrosis.^144,145 Adopting diet and lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay the complications of the cardiovascular system in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.¹⁴⁶

A complication of Diabetes Mellitus that has the probability of leading to blindness is Diabetic Retinopathy.¹⁴⁷ Risk factors for developing Diabetic Retinopathy include duration of diabetes, hypertension, and poor control of blood glucose level.¹⁴⁸ Production of free radicals and advanced glycation end products (AGE) and inflammation occurring due to hyperglycemia play an essential role in Diabetic Retinopathy development.¹⁴⁹ Diabetic Retinopathy is of two types: Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (non-threatening to vision) and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (Threatening to vision).¹⁴⁷ Complications of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy like tractional retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, neovascular glaucoma as well as diabetic maculopathy are the causes for vision loss in Diabetic Retinopathy.¹⁵⁰ Vascular leakage resulting from microangiopathy in diabetic patients causes macular edema and capillary occlusion leading to retinal ischemia and vascular endothelial growth factor elevation. Neovascularization and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy thus result from these changes.^151,152 Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy eventually progresses to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, but this progress may be delayed through strict glycemic control in diabetic patients.¹⁵³

One of the major complications of Diabetes Mellitus is Diabetic nephropathy that is found to develop in both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.^154,155 Diabetic nephropathy progresses to chronic kidney disease and eventually leads to end-stage kidney disease.¹⁵⁶ Upon chronic exposure to high blood glucose levels, podocytes of the glomerular filtration membrane become abnormal. Podocyte loss is one of the earliest morphological changes in the glomerulus, playing an essential role in diabetic nephropathy development. Proteinuria and impairment of renal function are the characteristics of Diabetic Nephropathy.^157–159 This complication is diagnosed pathologically by findings of renal hypertrophy, thickening of the basement membrane, mesangial substrate increase, nodular lesion, interstitial fibrosis.^160–163 Changes in renal hemodynamics, ischemia, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system overactivity, and increased oxidative stress resulting from glucose metabolism and inflammation lead to renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid; use of Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blocker and cessation of smoking can help improve the condition of patients with Diabetic Nephropathy in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.¹⁶⁴

Limitation of the Study

The following were some limitations of the study

1. This study is a narrative review, and no systematic review or meta-analysis was not carried out.

2. Search engines that require to be accessed through institutions could not be used.

3. Articles that require to be purchased to be accessed could not be included in the study.

Conclusion

Diabetes Mellitus has become a significant epidemic in the present world. This metabolic disorder leads to complications, including that of the oral cavity. Oral complications are very much likely to harm the quality of life of the diabetic individual. The individual would suffer hindrance in speech, chewing, swallowing, and have painful sensation in the mouth resulting from these oral complications. In addition, they are prone to oral infections, and taste abnormalities lead them to increase sugar and salt consumption, which further deteriorates their glycemic control and, in turn, degrades the health of the oral cavity. In diabetic patients, mainly when there is insufficient control of blood glucose level, hyperglycemia contributes to several oral complications. At the same time, complications like periodontitis lead to an increase in blood glucose levels and the progress of other complications in the body. Periodontal health is a condition of the inflammation-free periodontium, which allows normal functioning of an individual without any physical or mental consequences due to past disease. The periodontal health is compromised in Diabetes Mellitus, that is, inflammation of periodontium is prolonged and worsened in diabetic individuals suffering from periodontitis. The bidirectional relationship between Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus results from the release of inflammatory cytokines like TNF α and interleukins that cause worsening of periodontal disease condition and develop insulin resistance. Systemic inflammatory cytokines and bacterial endotoxins from infected periodontium cause resistance to insulin through pancreatic β cell destruction, leading to hyperglycemia. Awareness needs to be built regarding these oral complications since maintaining proper oral hygiene can reduce the incidence and severity of such complications. A multidisciplinary approach that includes dental professionals and physicians is necessary to tackle these complications of the oral cavity in diabetic patients. With regular visits to the dentist and physicians, the oral cavity’s blood glucose level and health can remain in check through prevention, early detection, and proper management.

Recommendation

The interrelated nature of the Diabetes Mellitus and complications of the oral cavity have severe implications for the human body. Awareness needs to be developed regarding the oral complications arising in people with diabetes. Diabetic individuals should be given education about the increased oral health risks, encouraging regular visits to the dentist, and paying attention to oral hygiene. Periodontal screening should be done by dentists and physicians each time a diabetic individual comes for a visit. To halt the appearance of such oral complications, strategies should be in place to assess and manage diabetic individuals at risk. Dentists need to interact effectively with physicians in concerned fields of expertise to provide effective oral care for these diabetic individuals. Guidebooks can be developed by the Diabetic Association, which outlines issues of diabetic care to help dentists recognize better signs and symptoms that require a referral, recommendation for annual screening. This will thus allow for an approach to diabetic care that is proactive beyond their discipline’s scope. Also, booklets may be made available for the general population to maintain oral hygiene for diabetic individuals. Physicians and dentists should continue to stress the importance of glycemic control to diabetic patients to maintain a good quality of life.

Funding Statement

This paper was not funded.

Consent for Publication

The author reviewed and approved the final version and has agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work, including any accuracy or integrity issues.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they do not have any financial involvement or affiliations with any organization, association, or entity directly or indirectly with the subject matter or materials presented in this article. This also includes honoraria, expert testimony, employment, ownership of stocks or options, patents or grants received or pending, or royalties.