Air Pollution as a Risk Indicator for Periodontitis

Abstract

Background: Air pollutants can influence local and systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and microbiome composition. Therefore, air pollution may potentially represent an unexplored modifiable risk indicator for periodontitis. The aim of the current cross-sectional study was to investigate the epidemiological association between outdoor air pollution and periodontitis in a representative sample of the South Korean population. Methods: A total of 42,020 individuals, which were representative of 35.2 million South Koreans, were examined. The mean annual levels of particulate matter of 10 μm (PM10), ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and humidity, were studied. Periodontitis was defined according to the Community Periodontal Index (CPI ≥ 3). Simple and multiple regression analyses using four different models were applied. Results: Every 5-μg/m3 increase in PM10 (OR = 1.17; 95% confidence interval—CI: 1.11–1.24) and of 0.005 ppm in ozone levels (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.00–1.30) were positively associated with periodontitis prevalence. Conversely, every 5% increase in humidity (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90–0.99) and 0.003 ppm increase in NO2 levels (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89–0.96) were inversely associated with periodontitis occurrence. Conclusions: In this nationally representative population several air pollutants were found to be associated with periodontitis occurrence. Hence, the present results suggest that air pollution may be a new modifiable risk indicator for periodontitis.

Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and periodontitis: Results from a large population‐based study

“…Rapid industrialization has made air pollution an increasingly serious problem. The association between air pollutants and periodontitis has been emphasized by many research findings (Marruganti et al, 2023; Vo et al, 2020). PAHs are a major component of atmospheric toxic pollutants (Adami et al, 2022), which arise both naturally and anthropogenically (Ifegwu & Anyakora, 2015).…”

“…The association between air pollutants and periodontitis has been emphasized by many research findings (Marruganti et al, 2023;Vo et al, 2020).…”

“…Additionally, poor lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of oral hygiene) have also been proven to be associated with an increased risk of periodontitis (Genco & Borgnakke, 2013). Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the host are known to contribute to the destruction of periodontal tissues (Baltacıoğlu et al, 2014; Sczepanik et al, 2020), and exposure to heavy metals (Han et al, 2013) or airborne particulate matter (Marruganti et al, 2023; Vo et al, 2020) has been proven to contribute to these effects. In recent years, the health hazards of PAHs, the main components of particulate matter in environmental pollution (Adami et al, 2022), have become an important public health issue.…”

Healthy lifestyles are associated with a better response to periodontal therapy: A prospective cohort study

“…Hence, a direct biological effect of lifestyle behaviours on the periodontium is suggested. These findings may be relevant for clinicians because those behaviours may represent potential targets of interventions in the context of the Step 1 of periodontal therapy (Sanz et al, 2020), and for researchers because they may represent potential confounders to be considered when analysing the risk factors of periodontitis or its association with systemic diseases (Antonoglou et al, 2023; Baima et al, 2022; Botelho et al, 2022; D'Aiuto et al, 2018; Marruganti, Baima, Aimetti, et al, 2023; Marruganti, Shin, Jim, et al, 2023; Romandini et al, 2020, 2021).…”

From Basic Science to Clinical Practice: A Review of Current Periodontal/Mucogingival Regenerative Biomaterials

“…[6,10] Risk factors for periodontitis include smoking, diabetes, socio-economic determinants, incorrect lifestyles, and genetic factors. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Apart from its oral sequelae, periodontitis has been regarded as a possible risk factor for several systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, respiratory diseases, cancer, and even mortality. [7,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] A step-wise therapeutic approach is employed for the treatment of periodontitis.…”