Abstract
There have been contradictory reports on the effects of vitamin D in the prevention of periodontitis. We analyzed the association between vitamin D status (levels of plasma 25(OH)D) and periodontitis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013–2014 database. Among the participants in the KNHANES (2013–2014), only those aged ≥60 years who completed a health interview survey, periodontal examination, and blood test were included in the study. Thus, data from 701 participants were used in the final analysis. Periodontal status was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and periodontitis was defined as having a CPI score of 3 or 4. Plasma 25(OH)D levels were classified according to two criteria: 20 ng/mL and quartile value. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the prevalence of periodontitis according to plasma 25(OH)D levels. Univariate analyses showed that periodontitis was not significantly associated with plasma 25(OH)D levels. In the multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, the difference in the prevalence of periodontitis between those with a normal range of 25(OH)D and those with low plasma of 25(OH)D levels was not statistically significant. Vitamin D intake has been reported to have benefits in maintaining periodontal health; however, total plasma 25(OH)D levels showed no significant association with periodontitis based on CPI scores in this study. Additionally, these findings reaffirmed the importance of toothbrushing and smoking cessation to prevent periodontitis in people aged ≥60 years.
Highlights
Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases in which periodontal tissue is destroyed by endotoxins and exotoxins of periodontal pathogens [1]
Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI was approved by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Institutional Review Board (IRB No 2013–07CON-03–4C and 2013–12EXP-03–5C), and all procedures were performed in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki
One study based on the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database reported that both men and women aged ≥50 years in the lower quintile of serum 25(OH)D had higher periodontal attachment loss than those in the highest quintile [14]
Summary
Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases in which periodontal tissue is destroyed by endotoxins and exotoxins of periodontal pathogens [1]. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative oral anaerobe, is a “keystone” biofilm species that weakens the host’s defense and is involved in the progression of chronic periodontitis [2]. Periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss in post-middle-aged individuals, for whom it substantially reduces masticatory ability and quality of life [1,3]. Several studies have indicated that the presence of periodontal infection and consequent inflammation are associated with increased incidences of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis [4,5,6]. The primary cause of periodontitis is the persistent accumulation of oral biofilms on tooth surfaces [1], but the progression of the disease is affected by various factors, including host-related factors (e.g., immune disorders and hormonal imbalance) and environmental factors (e.g., smoking and diet) [7,8]. According to a systematic review, it was reported that a large intake of docosahexaenoic acid, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, milk, fermented
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
