Alcohol Consumption and Periodontal Status in Obese and Non-Obese Adults

Objectives: Obese adults are reported to be highly likely to have high alcohol consumption and various health issues such as periodontal disease. However, whether the association between alcohol consumption and periodontal status is different with or without obesity remains unclear. We investigated this association in obese and non-obese adults.
Methods: In 2003, we conducted a cross-sectional study on individuals aged between 35 and 64 years (mean age ± standard deviation: 45.7 ± 8.7 years) and underwent dental check-ups. After excluding individuals with missing data, our study included 6,529 participants (non-obese, n = 5,007; obese, n = 1,522). Periodontal health was assessed using mean pocket depth (PD). Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m². Alcohol consumption was divided into categories of non-drinkers (0 g per day), light drinkers (0.1–14.9 g), moderate drinkers (15–29.9 g), and heavy drinkers (≥30 g). Multiple regression analyses were performed with mean PD as the dependent variable, alcohol consumption as the independent variable, and several confounding factors including tooth brushing frequency, regular dental check-up, smoking, and oral hygiene status. Mediation analysis was conducted to explore potential mediators.
Results: Mean PD was 2.25 ± 0.50 mm. The study population included non-drinkers (20.6%), light drinkers (51.1%), moderate drinkers (12.2%), and heavy drinkers (16.1%). After stratifying participants by obesity status, non-obese adult heavy drinkers were more likely to have higher mean PD (partial regression coefficient B = 0.058, p = 0.012) adjusting for confounding factors. However, an association between alcohol consumption and mean PD was absent among obese adults. Mediation analysis showed that alcohol consumption was associated with mean PD mediated by blood glucose levels in non-obese adults.
Conclusions: High alcohol consumption was associated with periodontal status in non-obese adults. This association in non-obese adults may be influenced by abnormal glucose metabolism.