Physical activity reduces the risk and mortality risk of inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the relationship between regular walking and periodontitis in a Korean representative sample of adults according to socioeconomic status. Data acquired by the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014 and 2015 were used. The survey was completed by 11,921 (5,175 males; 6,746 females) participants (≥19 years). Individuals without values on periodontitis were excluded, and 9,728 participants remained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done using socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, income, education), oral health-related variables (flossing, interdental brushing, community periodontal index), oral and general health status and behaviour (smoking, diabetes mellitus), and regular walking. In all models, subjects who walked regularly had significantly lower risks of periodontitis. After adjusting for age, gender, income, education, smoking, diabetes mellitus, flossing, and interdental brushing, the odds ratio for periodontitis in subjects who walked regularly was 0.793 (95% Confidence interval: 0.700–0.898). Non-regular walking groups showed similar social gradients. Risk of low socioeconomic status was not significant in the regular walking group after adjusting for age, gender, income, and education. This study found that regular walking is associated to lower prevalence of periodontitis and can attenuate the relationship between periodontitis and low socioeconomic status.

This study aimed to review the use of interdental care products (ICPs) among adults in Korea, reconfirm their relevance to periodontal health, and identify factors affecting the use of ICPs. Data from 2007 to 2018 from the National Health Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) were used, and 43,069 adults (18,412 men, 24,657 women) aged 30 years or older were included. The frequency and percentage of ICP use according to the characteristics of the subjects are presented. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the factors affecting ICP use. The ICP usage rate of participants in the KNHANES phase gradually increased to 22.8% in the 4th, 26.4% in the 5th, and 38.0% in the 6th phase and then decreased to 36.3% in the 7th phase. The adjusted OR values for periodontal health in ICP users were 0.721 for gingivitis and 0.642 for periodontitis, confirming that ICP was associated with a lower prevalence of these conditions. Sex, age, educational level, household income, toothbrushing, and dental check-ups were related to ICP use in all phases. ICP was associated with improved periodontal health, but its use rate was very low. Therefore, oral health professionals should educate adults on the use of ICP, particularly interdental brushing.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) can lead to poor oral health. However, oral health among diabetic patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is scarcely studied. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of oral health complications and the relationship between DM and oral health status in diabetic patients with CVDs. This retrospective nationwide cross-sectional study evaluated 3495 patients aged ≥40 years with CVD, with DM (n = 847) and without DM (n = 2648). The participant’s characteristics between the two groups were compared using the Chi-square test and t-test. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations between DM and oral health status. The prevalence of periodontitis (54.3% vs. 43.2%) and <20 number of remaining teeth (30.9% vs. 22.8%) was significantly higher in the DM than in the non-DM group. In the multivariate regression analysis, the incidence of periodontitis was 1.4 times higher in the DM group than in the non-DM after adjusting for confounders; however, the number of remaining teeth and active caries were not associated with DM. In conclusion, the oral health status of patients with coexisting CVD and DM should be assessed closely and actively. Healthcare professionals should provide accessible dental care services and develop strategies to improve patients’ oral health.

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.

Removal of the biofilm from the proximal space is essential for preventing periodontal disease. This study aimed to prove the association between the use of proximal cleaning devices, such as dental floss and interdental brushes, and periodontal health among nationally representative Korean adults. Data collected from the 7th National Health Nutrition Survey (KNHANES VII: 2016–2018) were used for this purpose. A total of 11,359 participants aged 19 years or older who participated in KNHANES were reviewed. The response variable was the prevalence of high CPI (CPI of 3–4), and the explanatory variables were dental floss and interdental brush. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for potential confounding factors and to analyze the association between periodontal disease and proximal cleaning devices. It was found that 63.1% of the participants did not use proximal cleaning devices at all, 17.5% used dental floss alone, 11.9% used an interdental brush, and 7.5% used both. Subjects who used both dental floss and interdental brush had a high CPI rate nearly half that of all the models for those who did not. In particular, for those using dental floss, the aOR of high CPI was 0.681 in Model 1, 0.714 in Model 2, and 0.737 in Model 3. Dental hygiene products for cleaning the proximal space, such as dental floss, are essential for removing the dental biofilm as a basic tool along with toothbrushes. Teaching and explaining the need to use these devices well are important for oral health care and maintenance.