By Dr. Joseph D. Lim

Good oral health habits promote healthy gums and increases the quality of life.

Periodontal or gum diseases are major public health problems. Adult populations worldwide suffer from mild to moderate periodontitis, while severe periodontitis prevalence ranges from five percent to 20 percent.

That means the economic cost of gum disease may cost over $50 billion in indirect costs due to severe periodontitis, according to a study published in the BMC Oral Health journal.

The study was led by Vanessa Machado of the Periodontology Department, Clinical Research Unit, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Portugal.

The study looked at the socioeconomic status, perceived stress scale, oral health behaviors and oral health impact profile of 472 adults.

The researchers used the Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS) survey. The SoPHiAS is a cross-sectional representative study in the municipalities of Almada-Seixal, Portugal.

Periodontal conditions were assessed with a full-mouth periodontal examination.

The study sought to determine if Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA), the number of missing teeth, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), perceived stress and interproximal (the surface between teeth) cleaning, are associated with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL).

Over the years, several risk factors have been implicated in the onset and progression of gum disease. These include age, gender, socioeconomic status, low education levels, diabetes, smoking, oral hygiene habits, and psychosocial factors, in particular stress.

These are the reasons why the impact of gum disease on OHRQoL became an important research matter.

Many lines of evidence have proven that the worsening and extent of gum disease is very deleterious towards OHRQoL. However, the treatment of gum disease can restore good OHRQoL levels.

The study found that patients with periodontitis, an advanced kind of gum disease, and with a high number of missing teeth, experienced worse OHRQoL.

Uncontrolled diabetes participants had more treatment for gum disease and poorer OHRQoL.

Good oral hygiene and preventative measures were associated to lower necessity for gum treatment. Lower treatment necessity was associated to higher OHRQoL.

The study concluded that age, number of missing teeth, diabetes mellitus, interproximal cleaning and perceived stress are associated factors for OHRQoL.

Good oral hygiene habits promote healthy gums and, consequently, increases OHRQoL, the study observed.

“Our findings confirm the number of missing teeth, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, interproximal cleaning and perceived stress as important elements towards OHRQoL,” the study researchers said.

Study participants with a greater extent and severity of gum disease, especially those who were diabetic, have greater treatment necessity and worse OHRQoL.

The number of missing teeth is highly related to increased need. Missing teeth, age, stress levels and interproximal cleaning were the factors with the highest impact, the study concluded.

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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the University of the East College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./WDJ