Sir, in a recent review of the literature on the reciprocal relationship between oral health and diabetes, Harcke et al. found a two-way link between type 2 diabetes and poor oral health.1 Rodríguez-Fonseca et al. revealed a higher rate of prediabetes in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) compared to controls.2 Their study of 275 patients, showed prediabetes as more common in OLP patients, especially those over 60 years old and those with more than three affected sites. They suggest that regular glucose testing could help manage potential complications.

Gibson et al. investigated over 213,000 participants and found that poor oral health, such as having fewer teeth and poor gum health, was associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes.3 Their study suggested the potential value of oral health screening in diabetes prevention. Hessain et al. addressed that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to rate their oral health as poor.4 This association is stronger among those with lower education levels. Their study suggested that socioeconomic factors may influence the relationship between diabetes and oral health.

Tabesh et al. studied 200 type 2 diabetes patients, finding a significant correlation between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the severity of xerostomia.5 Factors such as age, denture wearing, disease duration, and diabetes management were also significantly associated with OHRQoL. The findings suggested that treating both diabetes and oral health issues like xerostomia is crucial for improving OHRQoL in these patients.

These studies continue to suggest a strong link between oral health and diabetes.