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# Periodontitis linked to obstructive sleep apnea
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/periodontitis_linked_to_obstructive_sleep_apnea_1105120731/
- Published: 2012-12-05T20:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:01:37.000Z
- Description: Among 687 Korean adults aged 47 to 77, obstructive sleep apnea was associated with an 84 percent higher risk of periodontitis, rising to 151 percent among those 55 and older. The authors say the causal relationship between the two still needs to be clarified.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, PHD

Wednesday Dec 5, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in Journal of Periodontal Research found people with periodontitis tend to have obstructive sleep apnea, a condition which if left untreated can lead to or worsen heart disease, including heart arrhythmias, heart failure, high blood pressure, and stroke.

W. H. Seo at Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea and colleagues conducted the study and found in a small study population, 46.6% suffer obstructive sleep apnea, compared to 60% among those who has periodontitis.

Periodontitis has been associated with heart disease early. It should not be a surprise that obstructive sleep apnea is linked to periodontitis in this study.

The study involved 687 participants including 460 men and 227 women aged 47 to 77 years of age, who were enrolled in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study and were examined for periodontitis and obstructive sleep apnea between Aug. 2009 and Sept. 2010.

Old age, being male, current smoking, and mouth breathing during sleep were associated with higher risk for periodontitis.

Obstructive sleep apnea was associated with 84% increased risk periodontitis. The risk was increased among those aged 55 or older by 151%. The risk increase was not apparent among younger subjects.

The researchers concluded "There is a significant association between OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) and periodontal disease. Further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between the two conditions."