The association between caries and
periodontal diseases
Aim: The aim of this clinical study was to compare adults with a healthy periodontium and those with chronic periodontitis, in terms of caries’ risk and caries’ clinical and microbiological measures. Methods: Ninety-six healthy adults were divided into chronic periodontitis (n= 38) and healthy periodontium (n=58) based on their periodontal status, and matched for age, gender, and ethnic background. Chronic periodontitis was defined as having at least four teeth with ≥1 site with a pocket depth ≥4 mm and clinical attachment loss ≥2 mm. Each group were subsequently subdivided in 2 groups according to their caries status: participants having at least one untreated decayed surface and those with no untreated caries.  Data were collected by means of self-administrated questionnaire, clinical examination, and supra- and subgingival plaque sampling. Assessments of oral levels of Streptococcus mutans and six periodontal pathogens were conducted by PCR amplification techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistical tests. Results: Individuals with chronic periodontitis were 3.5 times more likely to have caries than healthy individuals (OR 3.5; CI: 1.5 – 8.3; P = 0.006). Subjects with both chronic periodontitis and dental caries had a significantly lower level of education than periodontally healthy subjects without dental caries (OR 6.0; CI: 1.7 – 21.7; P = 0.04). A significant higher proportion of subjects with high oral levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. g.) and Treponema denticola (T. d.) was found among subjects with chronic periodontitis and untreated caries compared to periodontally healthy subjects with untreated caries (P. g.: OR 8.6; CI: 2.4 – 30.3; P = 0.004 and T. d.: OR 10.0; CI: 2.6 – 38.1; P = 0.003).  Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that, adults with chronic periodontitis are more prone to caries disease than those adults with a healthy periodontium. Furthermore, low educational level could have a negative impact on the periodontal status of individuals.
Periodontal disease Caries Caries Streptococcus mutans Streptococcus mutans Porphyromonas gingivalis Porphyromonas gingivalis Treponema denticola Treponema denticola