Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to dental caries and periodontal disease in Korean adults. Methods: The subjects were 5,149 adults over 19 years old who participated in the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012. Data were analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis using SPSS 18.0 statistical package program. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions of independent variables and 2 kinds of dependent variables including dental caries and periodontal diseases by direct interview. The independent variables included 5 questions of general characteristics, 3 questions of health behavior, 5 questions of oral health behavior, and 4 questions of chronic diseases diagnosed by the doctors. Results: The prevalence rate of dental caries was higher in those who did not regularly work out and did not receive regular checkups including dental floss and dental brush use. The prevalence rate of periodontal diseases was higher in male adults, smokers, and those who were obese and had diabetes mellitus, poor oral health care habit without using dental floss and inter-dental brush. Conclusions: In order to prevent the dental caries in the adults, it is very important to do regular exercise and regular dental checkup. The best ways of dental caries prevention include tooth brushing after meal with use of dental floss and inter-dental brush. This study suggests that dental health promotion can be enhanced by smoking cessation, ideal body weight maintenance, timely tooth brushing after meal, and use of dental floss and inter-dental brush.

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