Table 4 Differences in oral microbial loads of studied cariogenic pathogens among diabetic and healthy groups

Salivary Mutans Streptococci counts

healthy group (Md = 52800) and controlled group (Md = 3800)

U = 96.5, z = − 3.821

p < 0.001

Salivary Mutans Streptococci counts

uncontrolled group (Md = 46400) and controlled group (Md = 3800)

U = 137, z = − 3.654

p < 0.001

Plaque Mutans Streptococci counts

healthy group (Md = 10320) and uncontrolled group (Md = 29000)

U = 185, z = − 2.595

p = 0.009

Plaque Mutans Streptococci counts

controlled group (Md = 9400) and uncontrolled group (Md = 29000)

U = 183, z = − 2.809

p = 0.005

Plaque Mutans Streptococci counts

group with better oral hygiene (Md = 4500) and the lower hygiene group (Md = 33500)

U = 451, z = − 3.856

p < 0.001

Plaque lactobacillus counts

healthy group (Md = 1250) and uncontrolled group (Md = 4250)

U = 207.5, z = − 2.269

p = 0.02

Plaque lactobacillus counts

controlled group (Md = 600) and uncontrolled group (Md = 4250)

U = 97, z = − 3.259

p = 0.001

Salivary Lactobacillus counts

healthy group (Md = 12160) and uncontrolled group (Md = 5500)

U = 218, z = − 2.075

p = 0.04

Salivary Lactobacillus counts

group with better caries status (Md = 6400) and the worse caries status group (Md = 9900)

U = 482.500, z= -2.015

p = 0.04

Salivary Candida albicans counts

healthy group (Md = 2000) and controlled group (Md = 11200)

U = 127.5, z = − 3.853

p < 0.001

Salivary Candida albicans counts

healthy group (Md = 2000) and uncontrolled group (Md = 400)

U = 157.5, z = − 3.308

p = 0.001

Salivary Candida albicans counts

controlled group (Md = 11200) and uncontrolled group (Md = 400)

U = 27.5, z = − 5.687

p < 0.001

Plaque Candida albicans counts

group with better oral hygiene (Md = 11350) and the lower hygiene group (Md = 18400)

U = 520, z = − 2.437

p = 0.02