Use of Dietary Supplements in Patients Seeking Treatment at a Periodontal Clinic

Objectives: This study characterized the usage of dietary supplements by patients who attend a periodontal clinic according to gender, age and smoking status. Understanding this usage facilitates the design of evidence-based intervention studies that result in improved patient care after periodontal procedures. Methods: A sample of 376 consecutive surveys regarding supplement use was collected from a periodontal implant clinic in Southern Ontario. The survey includes a checklist of 33 supplements and allows patients to include other supplements used. Patients were referred to the clinic by their general dentist for 1 of 3 reasons: general periodontal assessment (n=90), implant exam (n=126) or surgical consult (n=160). A supplement was considered used if the patient indicated any use of the supplement. Male (40%) and female (60%) patients over age 30 were studied and were divided into 3 age categories: 31-50 years (30%), 51-70 years (58%) and over age 70 years (12%). 16% were current smokers. Pregnant or lactating women were not included. Frequency of supplement use by age, gender or smoking status were assessed using a Chi-square test (p.05). The most commonly used supplements by gender, age and smoking status was also determined. The Human Ethics Board at Brock University approved the study. Results: General findings: Regardless of gender, age category or smoking status, the 4 most used supplements were calcium, vitamin D, multivitamin and vitamin C, and together these accounted for the majority of supplements used. Gender: A greater (p0.05) number of males took no supplements compared to females, and more (p0.05) females than males took >4 supplements. Females took more (p0.05) calcium, vitamin D, fish oil, green tea, magnesium, omega3-6-9 and B vitamin complex. Age: Younger patients (31-50 years) had the highest (p0.05) frequency of no supplement use compared to the 51-70 years group, which was in turn higher (p0.05) than the >70 years of age group. Patients over age 50 had a higher (p0.05) frequency of using >4 supplements and higher (p0.05) usage of calcium and vitamin D. Smoking: Supplement use was lower (p0.05) in smokers than non-smokers, and smokers used less (p0.05) calcium, fish oil, green tea, and vitamin D. Conclusions: Females, older individuals and non-smokers have an overall higher usage of supplements. Based on our findings that multivitamins, calcium and vitamin D are most commonly used, future dietary intervention studies to optimize periodontal health can focus on other less used supplements with known biological activities that may enhance healing after reconstructive periodontal implant surgery. Supplements with known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or osteogenic activity would be of greatest interest. Keywords: dietary supplements, periodontal disease, supplement use, wound healing