Effect of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma on Oral Health

Background: This study aimed to investigate allergic rhinitis and the relationship between allergic diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, and dental caries and periodontal disease using the raw data from third year of the 6th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total of 3,729 subjects aged over 30 years who underwent examination for allergic diseases and an oral health checkup were selected. The data were analyzed using SPSS IBM SPSS ver. 25.0 (IBM Corp., USA). Composite sample cross correlation and composite sample logistic regression analyses were performed using the composite sample general linear model. Results: On examining the socioeconomic characteristics of the subjects suffering from allergic disease and the relationship between allergic disease and oral health, allergic rhinitis was more frequently found in younger subjects with a higher level of education. Periodontal disease and dental caries were more frequent among female, older age groups, lower income earners, and subjects with a lower level of education (p<0.05). On examining the relationship between the oral health characteristics of the subject and allergic diseases and oral health, allergic rhinitis was more common in subjects with a good oral health status perception than those who answered "bad" to the oral health status question. The community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) score was higher in subjects who answered "poor" to the oral health status question, lower frequency of brushing, and higher in subjects using secondary oral hygiene products; the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index was higher in subjects with a perception of poor oral health status (p<0.05). The DMFT index was high in the asthma group, and the CPITN score was high in the group who answered "no" to allergic rhinitis. Conclusion: There is a relationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis and the DFMT index and CPITN score. Corresponding oral programs for allergic patients need to be developed.