22 May 2024

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Healthy lifestyles mean better response to periodontal therapy

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Evaluating the association between lifestyle behaviors and clinical results of periodontal treatment (phases 1 and 2) was the objective of the work published in JPG Digest. While eating habits, along with many other factors, influence people's health, "evidence is lacking as to whether these lifestyle interventions can provide additional benefit to periodontal therapy," the researchers point out.

The study carried out examined 120 participants aged between 18 and 70 years suffering from untreated localized or generalized stage II/III periodontitis. Participants had at least one site with pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥4 mm and more than 20 remaining teeth. Socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index), diabetes status, smoking/alcohol consumption and lifestyle behaviors were assessed. Each participant responded to four validated questionnaires related to their eating habits.

“This is the first study to evaluate the impact of a set of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors on response to periodontal treatment,” the researchers noted. “Poor sleep quality, smoking and alcohol abuse were associated with significantly lower rates of achieving treatment goals.”

With respect to the objective of the research, a correlation was observed between a worse response to periodontal treatment and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, low levels of physical activity and high perceived stress, but without statistical significance. Subjects with a combination of habits unhealthy lifestyles showed reduced success rates of periodontal therapy and a higher percentage of residual sites with PPD ≥6 mm.

“Counseling and lifestyle modification should be conducted during phase 1 periodontal therapy, given the potential implication on three-month periodontal treatment outcomes. Lifestyle behaviors must also be taken into consideration in periodontal clinical research, because they can act as confounding factors,” the researchers conclude.

Authors: Crystal Marruganti, Mario Romandini, Carlo Gaeta, Edoardo Ferrari, Nicola Disciples, Stefano Parrini, Filippo Graziani, Simone Grandini

Source: https://www.efp.org/fileadmin/uploads/efp/Documents/JCP_Digest/jcpd23-116Italian2.9.pdf