Research

Relationship of oral health care with impaired fasting glucose

On-Ju Ju1   Mi-Sun Yu2   Sun-Hee Jang1   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Wonkwang Health Science University
1Department of Dental Hygiene, Chunnam Techno University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of oral health care in the control of diabetes mellitus. Methods: The raw data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were utilized and 4,445 adults aged 19 and over were surveyed and examined. Complex samples crosstabs and general linear model analysis were carried out. Results: In total, 69.6 percent of the subjects were normal, 21.4 percent had impaired fasting glucose, and 9.0 percent had diabetes. By sex, 25.8 percent of the men had impaired fasting glucose and 10.8 percent had diabetes. Women with impaired fasting glucose accounted for 17.2 percent and 7.2 percent of women had diabetes. Impaired fasting glucose and diabetes were more common among men. Fasting glucose values were higher in the respondents who were male, were younger, whose monthly mean household income was lower, and who were less educated. Fasting glucose values were higher when the frequency of toothbrushing was lower and when dental floss and a dental brush were not in use. Fasting glucose was lower when there was no periodontal disease, when there was less difficulty in mastication, and when there were no implants in the upper and lower jaws. Conclusions: Oral health care workers should develop a variety of programs to motivate patients to take care of their own oral health actively and responsibly.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Prevalence of diabetes according to general characteristics