The objective was to examine the association between the intakes of whole grains, refined grains, and whole/refined ratio with periodontitis. Data from 7,753 adults participating in NHANES 2009-2014 were used. The intakes of whole grains, refined grains, and whole/refined ratio were collected and calculated. Periodontitis was defined according to the CDC. The relationship between periodontitis and grains intakes were evaluated by using multivariate models. Dose-response relationship was modelled by restricted cubic spline regression. In the fully adjusted model, the whole grains intake (Q4 ORs: 0.70 (0.56,0.89)) and whole/refined grain ratio (Q4 ORs: 0.75 (0.60,0.93)) were negatively associated with periodontitis. The results of restricted cubic spline regression showed an OR of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84,0.95) for per 28.3 g/d increase in whole grain intake, and the whole/refined grain ratio had a J-shaped association with periodontitis. Increased intake of whole grains was associated with lower prevalence of periodontitis.
Keywords: NHANES; Periodontitis; refined grains; whole grains.