The relationship between oral and dental health and appendicitis

Abstract

Aims: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the scores of the “Simplified Oral Hygiene Index” (OHI-S) indicating poor oral hygiene and the “Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth” (DMFT) index indicating oral health impairment, and acute appendicitis (AA). Methods: Eighty four patients who were operated on with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis between April 2022 and May 2023 were included. The control group included 32 individuals without a history of appendectomy. In our study, oral health was evaluated using the DMFT and OHI-S indices. The DMFT index is one of the indices quantifying dental health status based on the number of cavities. OHI-S is an index used to evaluate oral hygiene. Results: The OHI-S index scores of the patients with AA were significantly higher than those of the control group (3.53±1.43, 2.56±1.24, p<0.05, respectively). DMFT index scores of the patients with AA were significantly higher than the DMFT scores of the control group (12.09±5.51, 8.4±4.73, p<0.05, respectively). Among all individuals who participated in the study, OHI-S and DMFT index values of those who never or occasionally brushed their teeth were significantly higher than those who brushed their teeth at least once a day (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the OHI-S index scores indicating poor oral hygiene, and the DMFT index scores indicating poor oral health status were found to be higher in patients operated for AA; It suggests that poor oral health may increase the risk of appendicitis.