Association between coffee consumption and prevalence of periodontal disease: an exploratory study

Abstract

Scenario: Dental surface biofilm formation triggers periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), the second most frequent oral pathology, second only to caries. Studies of these diseases' prevalence in coffee consumers have shown conflicting results. Some studies correlate coffee consumption with the aggravation of the periodontal disease, while others with disease remission. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the association between coffee consumption and the prevalence of periodontal disease using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Method: We developed a cross-sectional study with 127 people at a primary health care service in Baturité, Brazil, in 2022. Participants were interviewed to investigate sociodemographic data, eating habits, and coffee consumption. Then, a clinical periodontal examination was performed to obtain the CPI index. The study was approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee under opinion number 5.492.233. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and the Chi-square and Pearson's correlation were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Age influenced the CPI index (gingival bleeding, calculus, and periodontal pockets) in five of the six sextants evaluated. Older patients had a higher rate of periodontal disease. The most common pattern of coffee consumption was ≥ 2 times a day, with 240 ml (one cup) per serving. Conclusion: Coffee consumption was inversely related to the prevalence of the periodontal disease. Participants who consumed more coffee showed a lower prevalence of gingival bleeding, calculus, and periodontal pockets. This finding was more evident among young subjects. Finally, there was no association between educational level and periodontal disease