IADR Abstract Archives
Relationship Between Allergic Rhinitis and Oral Health in Children
Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease usually treated with intranasal corticosteroids and antihistaminics. It is well known that these medications cause a low salivary flow rate, and inadequate salivary secretion, which are the known risk factors for oral diseases such as dental caries and gingivitis. On the other hand, the hygiene hypothesis in the etiology of allergic diseases is defined as the leading cause of the increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases. It is also described as one of the risk factors that infections can be protective against the development of allergic diseases. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to compare the oral health status of the children with or without AR.
Methods: A total of 111 children (64 with AR and 47 healthy) between 6-12 years old were included in the study (Ethical commission permission number: E-71522473/050.01.04/489). Patients with AR were enrolled from their follow-up patients of paediatric allergy outpatient clinic. A single examiner evaluated the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) index. A questionnaire recorded the participants' sociodemographic data, tooth brushing habits, oral health conditions, and dietary habits. All statistical analyses were run by commercially available software (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: PI (p:0,27) and DMFT index (0,00) scores were found statistically higher in the individuals with AR, while the GI scores did not differ between groups. There was a significant difference between children with and without AR in the consumption of DMFT / dmft, oral hygiene habits, and sweet snacks.
Conclusions: Our study supports the hygiene hypothesis and shows an inverse relationship between caries and allergic diseases. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential roles of oral health in the etiology of allergic rhinitis.
Methods: A total of 111 children (64 with AR and 47 healthy) between 6-12 years old were included in the study (Ethical commission permission number: E-71522473/050.01.04/489). Patients with AR were enrolled from their follow-up patients of paediatric allergy outpatient clinic. A single examiner evaluated the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) index. A questionnaire recorded the participants' sociodemographic data, tooth brushing habits, oral health conditions, and dietary habits. All statistical analyses were run by commercially available software (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: PI (p:0,27) and DMFT index (0,00) scores were found statistically higher in the individuals with AR, while the GI scores did not differ between groups. There was a significant difference between children with and without AR in the consumption of DMFT / dmft, oral hygiene habits, and sweet snacks.
Conclusions: Our study supports the hygiene hypothesis and shows an inverse relationship between caries and allergic diseases. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential roles of oral health in the etiology of allergic rhinitis.