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

To investigate the association of problematic Internet use with oral health behaviors and oral health status in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents.

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.

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.

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.