The association of periodontal disease parameters with systemic medical conditions and tobacco use

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if an association existed between periodontal disease and various systemic medical conditions and tobacco use. Material and Methods: The study design was a case-controlled, retrospective chart review. Patient charts (n=2006) were selected from more than 13,000 active patients attending the University of Minnesota dental clinics. These charts were examined to determine patient's self-reported systemic condition and smoking history. In addition, the number of missing teeth and bone loss were recorded. Two examiners collected the data. One examiner abstracted patient's medical history from the standard clinic medical questionnaire. The second examiner assessed the radiographs and dental charts to determine bone loss and number of missing teeth. Each examiner was blind to the findings of the other. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes and smoking (yes/no) status, seven conditions were significantly (p=0.0003-0.04) related to bone loss or number of missing teeth (vascular disease, heart surgery, vascular surgery, heart attack, thyroid problems, arthritis, stomach ulcers). From these conditions, thyroid problems and arthritis had a negative association with bone loss. Conclusions: These findings support the results from previous investigators that a number of systemic conditions and smoking are closely associated with missing teeth or bone loss.