Purpose: To examine the association between the intake of various nutrients (phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, protein, carbohydrates, and fat) and the prevalence of periodontal disease in Korean adults.
Materials and methods: The data used for analysis were obtained from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). Data from 12,689 adults aged ≥ 19 years who had a periodontal examination were analysed. Data were analysed using the Chi2 and t-tests. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association between the selected nutrients and periodontal diseases.
Results: After adjusting for sex, age, income, body mass index, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and toothbrushing frequency, a statistically significant relationship between phosphorus, carbohydrate, and fat intake and the risk of periodontal disease was identified by multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-0.97; OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.70-0.98, OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.13-1.75, respectively).
Conclusion: Phosphorus, carbohydrates and fat were associated with periodontal disease. Therefore, the improvement of diet should be emphasised to prevent and manage periodontal disease. Further research is needed based on various nutrients related to periodontal disease in the future.
Keywords: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES); nutrients; oral health; periodontal disease.