Halitosis and salivary parameters in individuals with diabetes and periodontitis: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Th is study evaluated the presence of halitosis and alterations in salivary parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontitis (P). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with the following characteristics of both sexes were screened: Group (G)1: 16 patients with DM and with P; G2: 11 patients with DM and without periodontitis; G3: 14 non-diabetic patients with P and G4:15 non-diabetic patients without periodontitis. Physical and laboratory tests were performed, as well as analysis of tongue coating, halitometry and salivary parameters. RESULTS: Th is study showed positive and signifi cant correlations between periodontal parameters and tongue coating with volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) concentrations. Diabetic individuals showed higher levels of salivary urea (p = 0.018) and total protein (p = 0.001), as well as lower calcium levels (p = 0.0001). Groups G1, G2 e G3 showed higher values of salivary phosphate (p = 0.0001). However, there were no signifi cant diff erences between the groups regarding halitosis, salivary fl ow and buff er capacity (p = 0.95, p = 0.06, p = 0.318, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DM and/or periodontitis infl uenced the presence of tongue coating, which was correlated with VSC parameters. However, DM and periodontitis did not directly infl uence halitosis as well as salivary parameters.