Self‐reported periodontitis association with impaired smell and taste: A multicenter survey

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the association between self‐reported periodontitis and the senses of taste and smell among employees of one Danish and two American universities.Materials and MethodsData were collected through a digital survey. A total of 1239 individuals from Aarhus University – Denmark, the University of Iowa, and the University of Florida – USA were included. Self‐reported periodontitis was the exposure. The perceived senses of taste and smell were the outcomes and were measured through a visual analog scale (VAS). Self‐perceived halitosis was the mediator. Confounders were age, sex, income, education, xerostomia, COVID‐19, smoking, body mass index, and diabetes. The total effect was decomposed into direct and indirect using a counterfactual approach.ResultsThe total effect of periodontitis on an impaired sense of taste was OR 1.56 (95% CI [1.02, 2.09]), of which 23% was mediated by halitosis (OR 1.13; 95% CI [1.03, 1.22]). Additionally, individuals with self‐reported periodontitis had a 53% higher chance of having impaired smell (OR 1.53; 95% CI [1.00, 2.04]), with halitosis mediating 21% of the total effect (OR 1.11; 95% CI [1.02, 1.20]).ConclusionOur findings suggest that periodontitis is associated with distorted senses of taste and smell. Additionally, this association appears to be mediated by halitosis.