Effectiveness of Dente91 DB Toothpaste on Salivary Glucose and pH in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Purpose: This study was planned to assess and compare the effectiveness of Dente91 DB toothpaste and conventional toothpaste (Colgate Total) on salivary glucose and pH in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, single-center, active-control, parallel-group clinical trial. Adult patients with established type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >8%) on treatment for ≥3 months were randomized to twice daily brushing with either Dente91 DB toothpaste or conventional toothpaste (Colgate Total) for 8 weeks. The primary endpoints were to assess the change in salivary glucose level and salivary pH from baseline to the end of 8 weeks. Results: Of 54 patients screened, 50 were enrolled in the study (25 in each group). At the end of 8 weeks, the mean change in salivary glucose level was significantly better in the Dente91 DB toothpaste group compared to the conventional toothpaste group (−3.20 ± 1.90 mg/dL vs −0.60 ± 1.76 mg/dL; P < .0001). The mean change in salivary pH did not differ significantly between Dente91 DB toothpaste and conventional toothpaste (0.32 ± 0.34 vs 0.17 ± 0.23; P = .09). The improvement in saliva flow rate was significantly better with Dente91 DB toothpaste (0.07 ± 0.03 mL/min vs 0.03 ± 0.03 mL/min; P < .0001), while the mean change in gingival index, plaque index, and dental hypersensitivity was not statistically different between the two groups at the end of 8 weeks. Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Dente91 DB toothpaste was better than conventional toothpaste at reducing salivary glucose levels after 8 weeks. Dente91 DB toothpaste demonstrated significant improvement in salivary pH level; however, it was not better compared to conventional toothpaste.