Peptic ulcers and oral health status.

PURPOSE Helicobacter pylori infection plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of peptic ulcers; however, among infected individuals only a small percentage will develop peptic ulcers at any time during their life. This low virulence suggests that many additional factors beside H. pylori are implicated in pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the prevalence of peptic ulcers and oral health status. MATERIAL AND METHODS The evaluation of dental status was performed in H. pylori infected population. The study involved 93 peptic ulcer patients (77 duodenal ulcer, 16 gastric ulcer) with ulcer niche not related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption and 93 gender and age matched dyspeptic controls. H. pylori infection was determined in endoscopically taken slices from gastric mucosa with two methods (CLO-test and histology). RESULTS Both in duodenal and gastric ulcer patients, the number of filled teeth was lower and debris index was higher than in controls, the number of decayed teeth was also higher in gastric ulcer patients. The number of natural teeth, number and type of prosthetic restorations, as well as the periodontal index, did not differ between the ulcer and control groups. Poor oral health in patients with peptic ulcers corresponded with education level, smoking habit, and visits to the dentist. CONCLUSIONS Poor oral health is associated with the prevalence of peptic ulcers not related to NSAIDs consumption, but it appears doubtful that it is a significant pathogenetic factor in ulcer disease.