Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the studies about the relationship of alcohol dependence and alcohol consumption with periodontitis.
Data and sources: A comprehensive search was performed in the Systematic Eletronic (PUBMED Medline, Latin American and Caribean Health Science-LILACS, Scientific electronic library online-SciELO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials-CCRT literature databases) from January 1965 to July 2008. The reference lists of the identified studies were also searched.
Results: Of the 1530 papers identified, 11 cross-sectional and 5 longitudinal observational studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven of the 12 studies on alcohol consumption and 4 of the 4 studies on alcohol dependence reported positive associations between alcohol intake and periodontitis. There was heterogeneity among studies concerning the methods of assessment of alcohol dependence, alcohol consumption and periodontitis. Therefore no meta-analysis was performed. Although smoking was properly addressed in all selected studies, the confounding effect of dental plaque was taken into account in only 6 studies.
Conclusion: Alcohol consumption can be considered a risk indicator for periodontitis. Longitudinal studies on the association of alcohol dependence and alcohol consumption with periodontitis are needed to confirm the association or not.