Periodontal Disease Linked to Poorer Sleep and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: Study
Researchers have found in a new study that Periodontal disease was significantly associated with poorer sleep quality and reduced oral health-related quality of life. It was further found that OHIP-14 and PSQI scores worsened progressively from healthy individuals to those with gingivitis and periodontitis. The findings highlight that periodontal health may affect broader patient-centered outcomes and overall well-being, supporting the inclusion of sleep quality and oral health-related quality of life in comprehensive periodontal assessment.
This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the interaction between periodontal disease, sleep quality, and quality of life and to investigate the effects of the presence and severity of periodontal disease on individuals' sleep patterns and oral health-related quality of life.
A total of 195 individuals were included in the study. Participants' sociodemographic data and dental habits were recorded. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while the impact of oral health on quality of life was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results: A significant difference was observed in OHIP-14 scores among the groups (p < 0.001), with median values of 6, 13, and 22 in the healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis groups, respectively. OHIP-14 scores also increased significantly with the stage and grade of periodontitis (p < 0.001). PSQI scores differed significantly among the groups (p < 0.001), with median values of 4, 8, and 10 in the healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis groups, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed in total PSQI scores across the stages or grades of periodontitis. In addition, a strong positive correlation was found between total PSQI and OHIP-14 scores (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that periodontal status remained independently associated with both PSQI and OHIP-14 scores after adjusting for age, sex, education level, and smoking status, with periodontitis showing the strongest association in both models.
A significant relationship was identified between periodontal disease, sleep quality, and oral health-related quality of life. Furthermore, the strong positive correlation between sleep quality and oral health-related quality of life suggests that deterioration in sleep quality may be associated with poorer oral health-related quality of life. These findings indicate that periodontal health is not limited to oral tissues but is also closely associated with an individual's overall well-being.
Reference:
Yüksekkaya, Vedat, et al. "Association of Periodontal Disease With Sleep Quality and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: a Cross-Sectional Study." Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 14, no. 16, 2026.
Keywords:
Periodontal, Disease, Linked, Poorer, Sleep, Oral Health, Related, Quality of Life, Study, Yüksekkaya, Vedat
