2021 Volume 71 Issue 4 Pages 215-222
Diabetes and periodontal disease have common risk factors of being overweight and smoking, while diabetes and dental caries both benefit from common dietary guidance including sugar control. Therefore, health behaviors associated with both diabetes and oral disease could be targeted by a common risk factor approach. The aims of this study were to clarify the association between eating habits and oral health behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes, and elucidate the priority issues with a common risk factor approach. We administered a questionnaire about eating habits and oral health, performed salivary multi-tests and oral examinations, and then analyzed the relationships between each item. Significant correlations were found between [Sloppy eating] or [Sweet snack] and the acidity of saliva. [Sloppy eating] was also associated with the [Symptom of hypersensitivity]. [Bleeding gums on brushing] and [Toothbrushing before bedtime] were associated with blood or protein in saliva. Blood in saliva was also associated with [Chewing firmly with molars]. Binomial logistic regression analysis using [Blood in saliva: High level] as the outcome variable revealed that a high level of blood in saliva was significantly correlated with [Toothbrushing in the workplace/outside] and [Toothbrushing before bedtime]. Our findings suggest that strengthening dietary guidance to focus on the habit of eating snacks, and oral health guidance to acquire favorable tooth brushing habits might lead to improvement in the oral environment of diabetic patients.
