The study analyzed health insurance data from adults aged 20 years and older, identifying patients diagnosed with periodontitis between 2011 and 2015 and comparing them with age- and sex-matched controls without periodontitis. Both groups were followed until the end of 2017 to track the incidence of AD. Using multivariate Cox regression analyses, the researchers estimated the risk of developing AD among individuals with periodontitis and evaluated the effect of dental scaling (DS) on this risk.
The study led to the following notable findings:
- Patients with periodontitis had a significantly higher risk of developing atopic dermatitis (AD) with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.47.
- The increased risk was observed in both men (HR 2.68) and women (HR 2.35).
- The association between periodontitis and AD was consistent across all age groups.
- Regular dental scaling (DS) was linked to a 67% reduction in the risk of AD (HR 0.33) among patients with periodontitis.
- The protective effect of DS was strongest in individuals who received more than four DS sessions, with an HR of 0.14.
- A dose-response relationship was noted, suggesting that more frequent dental scaling provides greater protection against developing AD.
While these findings are compelling, the authors noted several limitations. The study relied on insurance claims data, which lacked information on lifestyle factors, oral hygiene practices, diet, physical activity, and AD severity or family history. Misclassification bias may have occurred, as mild periodontitis cases not seeking dental care could have been categorized as non-periodontitis. Moreover, the observational nature of the study prevents establishing a direct causal link between periodontitis, DS, and AD risk. Additionally, the results may not be generalizable to Western populations due to differences in genetics, environment, and healthcare systems.
Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable evidence that regular dental care may serve as a modifiable preventive measure against atopic dermatitis in individuals with periodontitis. The findings highlight the importance of integrating oral hygiene practices into strategies for managing systemic inflammation and related chronic conditions.
"The research suggests that periodontitis significantly elevates the risk of AD, but regular dental scaling can substantially lower this risk. These insights highlight the potential of oral health interventions in preventing inflammatory skin conditions, paving the way for further studies to explore underlying mechanisms and confirm whether similar protective effects exist in other populations," the authors concluded.
Reference:
Chiang, C., Chang, C., Lee, Y., Yeh, C., Huang, C., Chen, L., & Liao, C. (2025). Risk of atopic dermatitis in periodontitis patients with and without dental scaling: A retrospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 20(10), e0333877. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0333877
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