Caries is Associated with Asthma and Epilepsy

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence of association between systemic diseases and oral conditions, although it is not clear if these are direct or mediated by underlying factors such as health behaviors. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether self-reported systemic diseases were associated with caries experience. METHODS: Medical history data and caries experience (DMFT and DMFS; Decayed, Missing due to caries, Filled Teeth/Surface) were obtained from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Dental Registry and DNA Repository. Information on 318 subjects (175 females and 143 males) was evaluated. Regression analysis was used to test for association between caries experience and disease status. RESULTS: The stronger associations were found between caries experience and asthma and epilepsy. With respect to asthma, DMFT above 15 (R(2) = 0.04) and DMFS above 50 (R(2) = 0.02) were associated. After controlling for gender differences in asthma, the associations remained strong (R(2) = 0.05 for both DMFT and DMFS). For epilepsy, DMFT above 15 (R(2) = 0.18) and DMFS above 50 (R(2) = 0.14) were associated. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma and epilepsy are associated with higher caries experience.