IADR Abstract Archives
Systemic Nitric Oxide Levels and Oral Health in Overweight Adults
Objectives: Nitric oxide (NO) plays key homeostatic role in endothelial function and in inflammation and has antimicrobial properties. These biological functions are important for the cardiometabolic health and are also central to dental caries and periodontal diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the association between systemic NO metabolites (serum nitrate and nitrite) and oral health (dental caries and periodontitis).
Methods: Nitrate and nitrite levels were measured using the Sievers NO-analyzer in baseline serum samples from 1195 San Juan Overweight Adult Longitudinal Study (SOALS), overweight/obese participants, 40-65 years of age, and free of major cardiovascular disease. Clinical oral examinations including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and dental caries were performed using NHANES III protocol. Mean PD, mean CAL and percent of buccal or lingual tooth surfaces with bleeding on probing (BOP) were computed. Dental caries counts were defined at the level of frank cavitation. Statistical analysis was performed using fractional probit regression, gamma regression, and negative binomial regression. All models were adjusted for age, gender, diabetes/pre-diabetes status, BMI, mouthwash use frequency, smoking status, plaque index, education, physical activity, and alcohol use.
Results: Serum nitrite levels above 0.055µM had a significant negative association with percent of sites with BOP (β=-0.17, p=0.003), mean PD (β=-0.04, p=0.035), and mean CAL (β=-0.10, p=0.006); serum nitrate levels above 16.75µM were negatively associated with BOP (β =-0.14, p=0.017), but not significantly associated with PD or CAL. These associations were similar after adjusting for missing teeth. Serum nitrite was positively associated with root caries (β=0.89, p=0.018), while serum nitrate was positively associated both with root (β=0.82, p=0.017) and coronal caries (β=0.64, p=0.010), after additionally adjusting for missing teeth.
Conclusions: Higher systemic NO levels are associated with better periodontal health, but more dental decay. Potential biological mechanisms for these associations need to be investigated.
Methods: Nitrate and nitrite levels were measured using the Sievers NO-analyzer in baseline serum samples from 1195 San Juan Overweight Adult Longitudinal Study (SOALS), overweight/obese participants, 40-65 years of age, and free of major cardiovascular disease. Clinical oral examinations including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and dental caries were performed using NHANES III protocol. Mean PD, mean CAL and percent of buccal or lingual tooth surfaces with bleeding on probing (BOP) were computed. Dental caries counts were defined at the level of frank cavitation. Statistical analysis was performed using fractional probit regression, gamma regression, and negative binomial regression. All models were adjusted for age, gender, diabetes/pre-diabetes status, BMI, mouthwash use frequency, smoking status, plaque index, education, physical activity, and alcohol use.
Results: Serum nitrite levels above 0.055µM had a significant negative association with percent of sites with BOP (β=-0.17, p=0.003), mean PD (β=-0.04, p=0.035), and mean CAL (β=-0.10, p=0.006); serum nitrate levels above 16.75µM were negatively associated with BOP (β =-0.14, p=0.017), but not significantly associated with PD or CAL. These associations were similar after adjusting for missing teeth. Serum nitrite was positively associated with root caries (β=0.89, p=0.018), while serum nitrate was positively associated both with root (β=0.82, p=0.017) and coronal caries (β=0.64, p=0.010), after additionally adjusting for missing teeth.
Conclusions: Higher systemic NO levels are associated with better periodontal health, but more dental decay. Potential biological mechanisms for these associations need to be investigated.