Assessment of Periodontal Disease Burden and its Association with Lifestyle Factors in Young Adults: An Epidemiological Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent oral health problem globally, with early manifestations often observed in young adults. Lifestyle behaviors, such as tobacco use, dietary patterns, and oral hygiene practices, are important determinants of periodontal health.

METHODS

A cross-sectional epidemiological research was carried out in an urban Indian community with 420 young people, with a mean age of 22.3 ± 2.1 years and 52.8% males. We used the community periodontal index (CPI) to evaluate the periodontal condition. A systematic questionnaire was used to gather data on lifestyle behaviors, such as cigarette usage, food habits, exercise routines, and dental hygiene routines.

RESULTS

The prevalence of gingival bleeding was 48.1%, while periodontal pockets ≥4 mm were observed in 28.6% of participants. Mean CPI score was 2.1 ± 0.8. Tobacco users (n = 92) demonstrated significantly higher mean probing depth (3.8 ± 0.6 mm) compared to nonusers (2.9 ± 0.7 mm, P < 0.001). Participants with irregular toothbrushing habits had a higher prevalence of periodontal pockets (39.2%) compared to regular brushers (24.5%, P = 0.002). Sedentary lifestyle was significantly associated with higher CPI scores (2.4 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6, P = 0.01). Logistic regression identified tobacco use (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6-4.4, P < 0.001) and irregular oral hygiene (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.0, P = 0.004) as independent predictors of periodontal disease.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a substantial periodontal disease burden among young adults, strongly associated with modifiable lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use and oral hygiene practices. Preventive strategies focusing on behavioral modification should be prioritized for early intervention.