Associations of Internet Use with Oral Hygiene Based on National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of problematic Internet use with oral health behaviors and oral health status in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents. METHODS: Data from the 2010 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (73238 Korean adolescents; mean age 15.06±1.75 years; age range, 12–18 years) were used. Problematic Internet use was measured using the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess oral health behaviors and oral health status of adolescents. RESULTS: Problematic Internet users were less likely to brush their teeth frequently [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.56–0.63] and at school after lunch (AOR=0.89; 95% CI=0.83–0.94) as well as more likely to perceive their oral health to be poorer (AOR=1.63, 95% CI=1.54–1.72) and experience oral symptoms (AOR=1.75, 95% CI=1.65–1.86) compared to usual Internet users. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate that problematic Internet use may adversely affect the oral health of Korean adolescents. Thus, oral health screening and Internet-based education are needed for adolescents experiencing problematic Internet use.