Oral Care and Lifestyle Habits in Correlation with Glycated Hemoglobin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial pathology and a major public health problem. The objetives were to determine the correlation between oral care practices according to glycated hemoglobin and to determine how lifestyle habits correlate with glycated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes mellitus. An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out through a survey of 420 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The participants were divided into two groups. With glycosylated hemoglobin greater than 7% as uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus and with glycosylated hemoglobin equal to or less than 7% as controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. It was found that in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus, 84.5% had bad practices and 90.0% bad lifestyle habits. Patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus who develop poor oral care practices had a mean glycosylated hemoglobin of 9.2%, 95% CI (7.4-11.0). Patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus who develop poor lifestyle habits had a mean glycosylated hemoglobin of 9.2%, 95% CI (7.4-11.0). There is a good and negative correlation between glycated hemoglobin and lifestyle habits (Rho=-0.774 and p<0.001). There is a moderate and positive correlation between glycated hemoglobin and oral care practices (Rho=0.561 and p<0.001). There is a moderate and negative correlation between oral care practices and lifestyle habits (Rho=0.533 and p<0.001). It was concluded that a person with type 2 diabetes mellitus who maintains good oral care practices may improve their glycated hemoglobin values. The development of good lifestyle habits maintains a normal glycosylated hemoglobin.