A study of a national sample of male health professionals who were free of periodontitis at baseline assessed the effects of alcohol consumption in terms of developing periodontitis. The study by Pitiphat, et al, published in the Journal of Dental Research, adjusted for such factors as age, smoking status and intensity, diabetes, body mass index, physical activity, total calories, and time. Five categories in terms of the number of alcoholic drinks per day were assessed, and the beverages assessed were beer, white and red wine, and liquor. The study found a positive association between alcohol consumption and risk of periodontitis; men drinking alcohol had an 18% to 27% higher risk of periodontitis compared to nondrinkers. No particular type of alcohol was significantly related to periodontitis.
(Source: Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2004)
