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Journals / Adıyaman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 12 Sayı: 2

Relationship between salivary pH and DMFT index in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A cross-sectional pilot study from Adıyaman

Tip 2 Diabetes Mellitus’lu yetişkinlerde tükürük pH’ı ile DMFT indeksi arasındaki ilişki: Adıyaman’dan kesitsel bir pilot çalışma

Savaş Sağmak(Adiyaman University)0000-0002-0082-6297
Esin Akol Görgün(ADIYAMAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-6711-7188
Emre Özel(KOCAELİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-1883-5172
Pages
225–232
Publication Date
2026-08-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These preliminary findings require confirmation in larger prospective studies.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: This study aimed to compare the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index and salivary pH levels between patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy individuals.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, Adıyaman University, between April and May 2026.
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Conclusion & Impact:These preliminary findings require confirmation in larger prospective studies.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2026 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Diabetes mellitus · DMFT indeksi · Tükürük pH

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to compare the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index and salivary pH levels between patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, Adıyaman University, between April and May 2026. A total of 40 participants (20 T2DM patients and 20 controls) were included. Participants in both groups were selected within the 40–50-year age range to minimize age-related confounding. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and analyzed using a digital pH meter. The DMFT index was assessed through clinical examination. Results: Salivary pH was significantly lower and DMFT scores were significantly higher in the T2DM group (p<0.001). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between salivary pH and DMFT scores (r = -0.40, p=0.010), indicating that lower salivary pH levels were associated with higher DMFT scores. Conclusion: Patients with T2DM had lower salivary pH and higher DMFT scores than healthy controls. Salivary pH was moderately and negatively correlated with DMFT, suggesting an association between a more acidic oral environment and greater caries experience. These preliminary findings require confirmation in larger prospective studies.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Tip 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) hastaları ile sağlıklı bireyler arasında DMFT indeksi ve tükürük pH düzeylerinin karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu kesitsel pilot çalışma, Nisan–Mayıs 2026 tarihleri arasında Adıyaman Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi’nde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Toplam 40 katılımcı (20 T2DM, 20 kontrol) çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Yaşa bağlı etkinin azaltılması amacıyla her iki gruptaki katılımcılar 40–50 yaş aralığından seçilmiştir. Uyarılmamış tükürük örnekleri dijital pH metre ile analiz edilmiştir. DMFT indeksi klinik muayene ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Tükürük pH’ı T2DM grubunda anlamlı derecede düşük, DMFT indeksi ise daha yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0,001). Tükürük pH’ı ile DMFT skoru arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı negatif korelasyon saptanmıştır (r=-0,40; p=0,010). Sonuç: T2DM hastalarında sağlıklı kontrollere kıyasla tükürük pH'ı daha düşük, DMFT skorları ise daha yüksekti. Tükürük pH'ı ile DMFT arasında orta düzeyde negatif bir korelasyon saptandı; bu durum, daha asidik bir oral ortamın daha fazla çürük deneyimi ile ilişkili olabileceğini düşündürmektedir. Bu bulgular ön nitelikte olup, daha geniş örneklemli prospektif çalışmalarla doğrulanmalıdır.

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Cite This Article

Sağmak, S., Görgün, E. A., Özel, E. (2026). Relationship between salivary pH and DMFT index in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A cross-sectional pilot study from Adıyaman. Adıyaman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 2, 225–232. https://doi.org/10.30569/adiyamansaglik.1944338

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