Prevalence and predictors of early periodontal disease among adolescents

Abstract

Background: Periodic estimation of periodontal disease burden is essential for formulating new treatment strategies, for evaluating preventive strategies, and for framing of new policies. The previous national-level survey among adolescents was held 15 years ago. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of periodontal disease among older adolescent students and to analyze its predictors as part of an oral health assessment survey conducted in Kerala. Materials and Methods: A multistage cluster sampling was employed among five districts of Kerala to examine 1065 students in the age group of 15–18 years from government and private schools of selected urban and rural areas. Sociodemographic and oral health behavioral data, modified Community Periodontal Index, Oral Hygiene Index Simplified, and Dental Aesthetic Index were taken. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to identify the predictors of gingival bleeding and periodontal pockets. Results: The prevalence of gingival bleeding, periodontal pockets, and loss of attachment was 42%, 13.4%, and 2.7%, respectively. In the adjusted multivariate model for predictors of gingival bleeding, rural location of residence, studying in government schools, high mother's education and their working status, orthodontic treatment need, oral hygiene frequency, and poor oral hygiene status emerged as significant predictors of gingival bleeding. In the multivariate model for periodontal pockets, bleeding on probing emerged as the strongest predictor with an odds ratio of 12.85 when adjusted to poor oral hygiene. Conclusion: The prevalence of early periodontal disease among adolescents is significant. Sociodemographic factors, poor oral hygiene, and malocclusion are significant predictors for periodontal disease among adolescents.

Close Associations of Gum Bleeding with Systemic Diseases in Late Adolescence

“…In late adolescents, although severe periodontitis is quite rare, studies have reported that gingival inflammation (gingivitis) is often observed [17,18]. However, as the association between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases has not been adequately elucidated in late adolescents, we focused on the relationship between gingival health status and common systemic diseases in late adolescents.…”

“…In contrast, the same has not been well investigated in younger people, and, therefore, the relationship has yet not been clarified in late adolescence. Though severe periodontitis accompanied by tooth mobility is quite rare in late adolescence, studies have reported that gingivitis (which can cause gum bleeding) is occasionally observed at that age [17,18]. Considering this situation, we conducted the present study to investigate the relationship between gum bleeding and the following common systemic diseases, which are often observed in late adolescents: allergic diseases/disorders (pollinosis, food/drug allergy, inhaled antigen allergy, and atopic dermatitis), otorhinolaryngologic diseases (allergic rhinitis, otitis media/externa, and sinusitis), and respiratory disorders (infectious diseases, pneumothorax/mediastinal emphysema, and asthma/cough-variant asthma).…”

Self-reported oral health habits, knowledge and conditions of schoolchildren and adolescents in mainland China

“…Cases of gingival bleeding in puberty have been widely reported [30]. Our results showed that the incidence of bleeding gums increased with age, which might be related to prolonged exposure to risk factors and inflammation associated with hormonal changes [31].…”

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Behaviours, and the Oral Health Status of School- Going Adolescent Boys and Young Men in Kampala, Uganda

“…Yet, oral diseases are one of the major non-communicable diseases affecting over 3.5 billion people (Bernabe et al, 2020). About 10% of the global population is affected by severe periodontal (gum) disease, which often results in tooth loss (WHO, 2021, Baiju et al, 2019). Besides, there are 530 million cases of dental caries/tooth decay/cavities among children, the majority of whom live in low and middle-income countries (LMCs), where provision of dental services is limited (WHO, 2021, Batwala et al, 2007).…”