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Does gingivitis lead to periodontitis in young adults?
S W Prayitno1, M Addy, W G Wade
1Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Lancet (London, England)
|August 21, 1993
Summary
Gingivitis does not reliably predict periodontitis in young adults. Even with better oral hygiene, students showed similar severe gum disease as tea pickers, suggesting plaque control may not prevent periodontitis in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Periodontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Poor oral hygiene is traditionally linked to gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth loss.
- However, some populations exhibit high gingivitis rates with low periodontitis prevalence, questioning this link.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if gingivitis is a dependable predictor of periodontitis in young adults.
- To compare periodontal health between distinct socioeconomic groups.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted on Indonesian tea pickers and university students aged 18–30.
- Oral hygiene, gingival health, and prevalence/severity of chronic periodontitis were assessed in both groups.
Main Results:
- University students demonstrated significantly better oral hygiene and gingival health compared to tea pickers.
- Despite differences in oral hygiene, the prevalence and severity of chronic periodontitis were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Gingivitis appears to be an unreliable indicator of periodontitis risk in individuals under 30 years old.
- Antigingivitis strategies, such as plaque control, may not effectively prevent periodontitis in young adults.