Periodontitis is a chronic and long-lasting low-grade inflammatory disease. Numerous studies have shown that the severity of periodontitis rose when there was an increase in the amount of smoking or alcohol consumption. However, as periodontitis known as a chronic disease, it is important to consider not only the amount but “duration” with frequency i.e., rates, of smoking or drinking. This study assessed impacts of the amount and duration of smoking and drinking on periodontal health in Korean adults. We also investigated whether or not there is an interactive effect of smoking and drinking on periodontal health. Under a cross-sectional study design, we used data from the fourth and fifth the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) sessions (2008–2010). A total of 18,488 subjects (over 19 years) answered both smoking and drinking status and were given the periodontal examination. Periodontal health status was determined by the community periodontal index (CPI) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO guidelines, if a participant’s CPI was 3 or larger, we classified the person as a case of periodontitis. Participants with a CPI < 3 were assigned to the control group. Prevalence of periodontitis for self-reported smokers or drinkers in South Korea was 35.0 or 28.0 %, respectively. We observed 1.20 (0.93~1.56) of odds ratio (95 % CI) for prevalence (POR) of periodontitis for those smoked <13 pack-year (PY) and drank ≥6.8 glass-year (GY). And we had POR of 1.91 (1.34~2.73) for those smoked ≥13 PY and drank <6.8 GY, compared to those nonsmoking nondrinkers. The observed POR of 2.41 (95 % CI: 1.94–3.00), for those smoked ≥13 PY and drank ≥6.8 GY, was higher than a multiplicative effect estimated, i.e., 1.20 (0.93~1.56) [those smoked <13 PY and drank ≥6.8 GY] × 1.91 (1.34~2.73) [those smoked ≥13 PY and drank <6.8 GY], or 2.29. We observed a multiplicative interactive effect of smoking and drinking on periodontal status among Korean adults.

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.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between diet quality and periodontal disease, in adults aged ≥40 years, using data from the 7th (2016–2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES), representing South Koreans. The subjects of this study were 7935 people aged ≥40 years, who responded to the items in the Korea Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) and underwent periodontal examination. Complex sample univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted, to analyze the relationship between the diet quality and periodontal disease. The group with a low diet quality for energy intake balance, showed a higher risk of periodontal disease than the group with a high diet quality for energy intake balance, and it was confirmed that the diet quality in adults aged ≥40 years was related to periodontal disease. Therefore, regular diet evaluations, and the counseling of gingivitis and periodontitis patients by dental experts, will have a positive effect on the restoration and improvement of periodontal health in adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical activity and mental health on chewing difficulty in South Korean adults using data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII, 2016–2018). Methods: A total of 8212 participants aged ≥20 years who completed surveys on their physical activity, mental health, and chewing status were included. Chewing difficulty was assessed via a five-point Likert scale based on self-reported discomfort when chewing due to oral problems, and dichotomized for analysis. The participants were divided into two groups: those aged <40 and those aged ≥40 years. Complex sample analyses, including cross-tabulations and logistic regression, were used to examine the associations. Results: Among men aged <40, high perceived stress was associated with 1.71 times higher odds of experiencing chewing difficulty (p < 0.05). For men aged ≥40, high perceived stress (OR of 1.45) and a sleep duration of <7 h (OR of 1.32) were significant risk factors (p < 0.05). In women aged ≥40 years, high Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) scores (≥10; OR of 2.35) and high perceived stress (OR of 1.64) were significantly associated with chewing difficulty (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Perceived stress, insufficient sleep, and depression are significant mental health factors associated with chewing difficulty in adults. These findings emphasize the necessity of a multifaceted approach, including psychosocial mental health issues, to effectively manage chewing difficulty in this population.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of denture use on the quality of life of cancer patients aged ≥40 years. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2018) were used in this study. A total of 302 individuals were selected as the final study participants. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis using SPSS software. Results: The quality of life in the group with dentures was lower than that in the group without dentures. Conclusions: The use of dentures had a significant effect on the quality of life of cancer patients aged ≥40 years. Therefore, national dental care guidelines and policies should be developed to prevent an increase in tooth loss in patients with cancer.