Longitudinal Associations of Toothbrushing With Obesity and Hyperglycemia

Abstract

Background: Toothbrushing is a health-related lifestyle habit and has been reported to contribute not only to oral health but also to some parameters of general health; however, little research has been conducted to understand the association of the frequency and timing of toothbrushing with the development of comprehensive metabolic abnormalities, with consideration of oral health condition. In this study, using longitudinal data, we examined this association in Japanese adults, adjusting for periodontal condition. Methods: A 5-year longitudinal study was performed with 4,537 participants between 35 and 64 years old who underwent an annual dental examination in both 2003 and 2008. Data about toothbrushing habits and metabolic abnormalities, such as obesity, hyperglycemia, diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis. Results: The percentage of participants with a toothbrushing frequency ≤1 time=day was 29.4%, and that for those not brushing their teeth at night was 21.4%. The incidences of obesity and hyperglycemia after 5 years were 5.5% and 28.4%, respectively. A toothbrushing frequency ≤1 time=day was associated with development of obesity (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.80), after adjusting for periodontal condition and potential risk factors. A significant association between not brushing teeth at night and hyperglycemia (PRR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.02-1.66) was observed in participants with toothbrushing frequency of 1 time=day. No association was found between toothbrushing habits and other metabolic abnormalities. Conclusions: This study suggests that toothbrushing habits are associated with the development of obesity and hyperglycemia.

Association between oral health behavior and multiple chronic diseases among middle-aged and older adults in Beijing, China

“…In this study, we demonstrated that less frequent toothbrushing was associated with higher risk DM, which is in line with previous ndings 14, [23][24][25] . A recent meta-analysis including 20 studies showed that a lower frequency of toothbrushing was associated an increased risk of DM (OR:1.32, 95% CI:1.19-1.47) 23 .…”

Relationship of BMI with the diet, physical activity and oral hygiene practices amongst the dental students

“…These findings are in agreement with the previously conducted research [ 22 ]. Similarly, research conducted in Japan, identified positive association between obesity and lower frequency of brushing habits [ 34 ]. Similarly, research by Park et al also identified positive association between obesity and time of brushing teeth and use of mouthwash [ 35 ].…”

Association between Findings in Oral Health Screening and Body Mass Index: A Nation-Wide Longitudinal Study

“…In a previous cross-sectional study, less-frequent tooth brushing was associated obesity, even after adjusting for oral health indicators (odds ratio: 1.22 and 1.48 for tooth brushing frequency of 1 time/day and 0 time/day, respectively) [ 22 ]. In addition, a recent general population-based longitudinal study of 4537 participants in Japan demonstrated that a low frequency of tooth brushing (≤1 time/day) was associated with the occurrence of obesity (prevalence rate ratio: 1.77, 95% confidence interval: 1.12–2.80) [ 23 ]. Our research results were similar to these previous studies; particularly, this longitudinal cohort study suggested a negative association between frequent tooth brushing and BMI.…”