Prevalence and simultaneous occurrence of periodontitis and dental caries

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and simultaneous occurrence of periodontal disease and dental caries in Finnish adults. The study was performed as part of the nationally representative Health 2000 Survey. The study population was 5255 subjects aged 30 years and older. Probing pocket depth (PPD) and untreated dentinal caries were recorded by tooth. Teeth with PPD 4mm and deeper indicated periodontal disease, and teeth with PPD 6mm and deeper indicated a severe periodontal disease. Sixty-four percent of persons had periodontal disease, 21% had a severe periodontal disease, and 29% had dental caries. Persons having periodontal disease had significantly more often dental caries (33%) compared with those without periodontal disease (23%). This was even more evident in persons having severe periodontal disease (44%). Accordingly, persons having dental caries had significantly more often severe periodontal disease (31%) compared with those without dental caries (16%). The mean number of teeth with dental caries or periodontal disease per person was greater when the mean number of teeth with the other disease was also greater. These data indicate that especially severe periodontal disease and dental caries tend to accumulate in the same subjects.