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- Title
Use of water 'softening and conditioning systems' significantly increases the risk of periodontitis: smoking considerations.
- Authors
Wood N; Johnson RB
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: The role of water in the etiology of periodontal disease is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the association amongst water softness, risk for periodontitis, and smoking status. METHODS: We examined the association between use of water 'softening and conditioning systems' and the risk for periodontal disease in smokers and non-smokers, using adult participants (18+ years), from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data. Zero to 33 per cent (0-33%) of sites with periodontal attachment loss > or = 3 mm was considered a healthy periodontium, and > 33% of sites with periodontal attachment loss > or = 3 mm was defined as periodontitis. Soft water users were divided into 'yes' or 'no' using the question, 'Does your home have a 'softening or conditioning system?'.' Smoking subjects were divided into groups as follows: current smokers (had smoked > or = 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoked), former smokers (had smoked > or = 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, not currently smoking), or never smokers (had not smoked > or = 100 cigarettes in their lifetime). Data was analyzed by univariate analyses using SPSS. The 5% level of statistical significance was adopted throughout. RESULTS: Subjects that answered the question 'yes' to soft water use had a significantly higher risk of periodontitis (p < 0.05), adjusting for confounders. When mineral intake from foods was added to the model, the significance of periodontitis risk remained the same for the non-smoking, soft water-using subjects, whereas for the smoking, soft water-using subjects the risk for periodontitis increased significantly (p < 0.05) in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, use of water 'softening and conditioning systems' significantly increased the risk for periodontitis, and smoking increased this risk. (c)Blackwell Munksgaard 2004
- Publication
Journal of Periodontal Research, 2004, Vol 39, Issue 6, p367
- ISSN
0022-3484
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1600-0765.2004.00769.x