Diabetes mellitus and oral manifestations – An overview

Abstract

The global pandemic of diabetes mellitus is leaving a huge proportion of population debilitated. The hyperglycemic state along with the inflammatory and immune mediated changes result in long-term complications of diabetes. The quality of life of affected individuals are drastically reduced if the metabolic control is not achieved.  The rate of progression of oral diseases is faster in a diabetic individual and this in turn can adversely affect the metabolic control of the disease. This review elaborates the oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus and mandates the need to educate non dental health care professionals involved in diabetic care about the complications.