Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health logoLink to Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
. 1978 Sep;32(3):155–165. doi: 10.1136/jech.32.3.155

Comparative epidemiology of multiple sclerosis and dental caries.

W Craelius
PMCID: PMC1060938  PMID: 711974

Abstract

The geographical distribution and other epidemiological characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) are compared with those of dental caries. The rates of death due to MS in Australian states are linearly related to the numbers of decayed, missing, and filled (DMF) teeth found in individuals from those states (r=0.97, P less than 0.002). In the United States of America, a strong positive correlation (r=0.55, P less than 0.001) also exists between MS death rates and dental caries indices. The prevalence of MS in 45 countries or areas correlates well with the frequencies of DMF teeth among children of school age in those locations (r=0.78, P less than 0.001). The prevalence of MS also correlates well with the percentage of edentulous individuals in certain countries (r=0.99, P less than 0.001). A review of the literature shows that the risk for dental caries is lower among the following groups: the lower socioeconomic classes in the United States of America; Chinese immigrants to England compared with natives; blacks compared with whites; and males compared with females. The dental caries risk is higher during pregnancy and lactation. All these trends have been described for MS as well. It is suggested that dental caries may be a more accurate epidemiological model for MS than poliomyelitis. It is also suggested that MS and dental caries may share certain aetiological factors, two of which may be dietary excess of certain fats, and vitamin D deficiency.

Full text

PDF
155

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. ACHESON E. D., BACHRACH C. A., WRIGHT F. M. Some comments on the relationship of the distribution of multiple sclerosis to latitude, solar radiation, and other variables. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1960;35(147):132–147. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1960.tb08674.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. ACHESON E. D. Multiple sclerosis in British Commonwealth countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1961 Jul;15:118–125. doi: 10.1136/jech.15.3.118. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. ALTER M., HALPERN L., KURLAND L. T., BORNSTEIN B., LEIBOWITZ U., SILBERSTEIN J. Multiple sclerosis in Israel. Prevalence among immigrants and native inhabitants. Arch Neurol. 1962 Oct;7:253–263. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1962.04210040005001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Acheson E. D. Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis. Br Med Bull. 1977 Jan;33(1):9–14. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a071407. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Akpabio S. P. The prevelance of dental caries in Nigerian populations. Br Dent J. 1968 Jan 2;124(1):6–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Ames F. R., Louw S. Multiple sclerosis in Coloured South Africans. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1977 Aug;40(8):729–735. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.40.8.729. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Bagramian R. A., Russell A. L. An epidemiologic study of dental caries in race and geographic area. J Dent Res. 1971 Nov-Dec;50(6):1553–1556. doi: 10.1177/00220345710500063201. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Barmes D. E., Infirri J. S. WHO activities in oral epidemiology. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1977 Jan;5(1):22–29. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1977.tb01613.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Barmes D. E. The world wide distribution and significance of oral diseases. Int Dent J. 1977 Sep;27(3):270–272. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Beck D. J., Ludwig T. G. Sex differences in dental disease in Polynesian peoples. N Z Dent J. 1966 Oct;62(290):279–291. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Beebe G. W., Kurtzke J. F., Kurland L. T., Auth T. L., Nagler B. Studies on the natural history of multiple sclerosis. 3. Epidemiologic analysis of the army experience in World War II. Neurology. 1967 Jan;17(1):1–17. doi: 10.1212/wnl.17.1.1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Bird A. V., Satoyoshi E. Comparative epidemiological studies of multiple sclerosis in South Africa and Japan. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1975 Sep;38(9):911–918. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.38.9.911. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Chapman P. J., McDonald A. M., Stoddart R. J., Mackay E. V. Dental health of pregnant women. 2. Dental and periodontal health in an antenatal clinic population. Med J Aust. 1971 Nov 27;2(22):1117–1120. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1971.tb92740.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Corbett M. E., Moore W. J. Distribution of dental caries in ancient British populations. IV. The 19th century. Caries Res. 1976;10(6):401–414. doi: 10.1159/000260233. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Cummings J. H. Dietary fibre and colonic function. J R Soc Med. 1978 Feb;71(2):81–84. doi: 10.1177/014107687807100201. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. DUNNING J. M. The influence of latitude and distance from seacoast on dental disease. J Dent Res. 1953 Dec;32(6):811–829. doi: 10.1177/00220345530320061001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Dean G. Annual incidence, prevalence, and mortality of multiple sclerosis in white South-African-born and in white immigrants to South Africa. Br Med J. 1967 Jun 17;2(5554):724–730. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5554.724. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Dean G., Brady R., McLoughlin H. Motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis among immigrants to Britain. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1977 Sep;31(3):141–147. doi: 10.1136/jech.31.3.141. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Detels R., Brody J. A., Edgar A. H. Multiple sclerosis among American, Japanese and Chinese migrants to California and Washington. J Chronic Dis. 1972 Jan;25(1):3–10. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(72)90016-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Dick G. President's address. The etiology of multiple sclerosis. Proc R Soc Med. 1976 Aug;69(8):611–615. doi: 10.1177/003591577606900832. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Downer M. C. Dental caries and periodontal disease in girls of different ethnic groups. A comparison in a London secondary school. Br Dent J. 1970 Apr 21;128(8):379–385. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4802471. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Dunbar J. B., Moller P., Wolff A. E. A survey of dental caries in Iceland. Arch Oral Biol. 1968 May;13(5):571–581. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(68)90118-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. East B. R. Mean Annual Hours of Sunshine and the Incidence of Dental Caries. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1939 Jul;29(7):777–780. doi: 10.2105/ajph.29.7.777. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Enwonwu C. O. Socio-economic factors in dental caries prevalence and frequency in Nigerians. An epidemiological study. Caries Res. 1974;8(2):155–171. doi: 10.1159/000260104. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Firnhaber W., Orth H. Uber die pathogenetische Bedeutung von Zahnerkrankungen und Zahnbehandlungen bei der Multiplen Sklerose. Eine Vergleichsstudie an je 51 MS-Kranken und Epileptikern. J Neurol. 1977 May 13;215(2):141–149. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Goose D. H., Lee G. T. Prevalence of dental caries of Chinese in Liverpool. Ann Hum Biol. 1976 Mar;3(2):187–188. doi: 10.1080/03014467600001301. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Grainger R. M., McPhail C. W. A mapping procedure for the geographic pathology of dental caries. Int Dent J. 1969 Sep;19(3):380–392. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Hargreaves J. A. Changes in diet and dental health of children living in the Scottish Island of Lewis. Caries Res. 1972;6(4):355–376. doi: 10.1159/000259814. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Infante P. F., Owen G. M. Dental caries and levels of treatment for school children by geographical region, socioeconomic status, race, and size of community. J Public Health Dent. 1975 Winter;35(1):19–27. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1975.tb00694.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Jackson D. Caries experience in english children and young adults during the years 1947-1972. Br Dent J. 1974 Aug 6;137(3):91–98. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4803244. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Jong A. Racial differences in dental health status of pre-school children. J Mass Dent Soc. 1968 Winter;17(1):29–32. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. KURLAND L. T. AN APPRAISAL OF POPULATION STUDIES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1965 Mar 31;122:520–541. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1965.tb20233.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. KURLAND L. T., REED D. GEOGRAPHIC AND CLIMATIC ASPECTS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; A REVIEW OF CURRENT HYPOTHESES. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1964 Apr;54:588–597. doi: 10.2105/ajph.54.4.588. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Knox E. G. Foods and diseases. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1977 Jun;31(2):71–80. doi: 10.1136/jech.31.2.71. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Kurtzke J. F. A reassessment of the distribution of multiple sclerosis. Part one. Acta Neurol Scand. 1975 Feb;51(2):110–136. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1975.tb01364.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Kurtzke J. F. Geography in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 1977 Apr 28;215(1):1–26. doi: 10.1007/BF00312546. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Leibowitz U., Sharon D., Alter M. Geographical considerations in multiple sclerosis. Brain. 1967 Dec;90(4):871–886. doi: 10.1093/brain/90.4.871. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Littleton N. W., Kakehashi S., Fitzgerald F. J. Study of differences in the occurrence of dental caries in Caucasian and Negro children. J Dent Res. 1970 Jul-Aug;49(4):742–751. doi: 10.1177/00220345700490040601. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Lunt D. A. The prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition of Scottish prehistoric and mediaeval populations. Arch Oral Biol. 1974 Jun;19(6):431–437. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(74)90148-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Mandel I. D. Effects of dietary modifications on caries in humans. J Dent Res. 1970 Nov-Dec;49(6):1201–1211. doi: 10.1177/00220345700490060501. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. McPhail C. W., Curry T. M., Hazelton R. D., Paynter K. J., Williamson R. G. The geographic pathology of dental disease in Canadian central arctic populations. J Can Dent Assoc (Tor) 1972 Aug;38(8):288–296. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. POSKANZER D. C., SCHAPIRA K., MILLER H. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND POLIOMYELITIS. Lancet. 1963 Nov 2;2(7314):917–921. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(63)90624-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Poskanzer D. C., Walker A. M., Yonkondy J., Sheridan J. L. Studies in the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Neurology. 1976 Jun;26(6 Pt 2):14–17. doi: 10.1212/wnl.26.6_part_2.14. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Retief D. H., Cleaton-Jones P. E., Walker A. R. Dental caries and sugar intake in South African pupils of 16 to 17 years in four ethnic groups. Br Dent J. 1975 Jun 17;138(12):463–469. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4803481. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Richardson A. S., Boyd M. A., Conry R. F. A correlation study of diet, oral hygiene and dental caries in 457 Canadian children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1977 Sep;5(5):227–230. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1977.tb01645.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Rowe N. H., Garn S. M., Clark D. C., Guire K. E. The effect of age, sex, race, and economic status on dental caries experience of the permanent dentition. Committee to Review the Ten-State Nutrition Survey of 1968-1970. Pediatrics. 1976 Apr;57(4):457–461. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. SUTHERLAND J. M. Observations on the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Northern Scotland. Brain. 1956 Dec;79(4):635–654. doi: 10.1093/brain/79.4.635. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. SWANK R. L. Multiple sclerosis; a correlation of its incidence with dietary fat. Am J Med Sci. 1950 Oct;220(4):421–430. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Schapira K., Poskanzer D. C., Newell D. J., Miller H. Marriage, pregnancy and multiple sclerosis. Brain. 1966 Sep;89(3):419–428. doi: 10.1093/brain/89.3.419. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Sheiham A., Dimmer A. A dental epidemiological survey of a northern Ireland population: dental caries and periodontal disease findings. J Ir Dent Assoc. 1971 Sep-Oct;17(5):150–158. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Sutton R. N., Almond E. J., Marston S. D., Emond R. T. Complement-fixing and fluorescent antibodies in diagnosis of E.B.-virus infections. Lancet. 1971 Nov 13;2(7733):1095–1095. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(71)90415-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Symington G. R., Mackay I. R. Cell-mediated immunity to measles virus in multiple sclerosis: correlation with disability. Neurology. 1978 Feb;28(2):109–112. doi: 10.1212/wnl.28.2.109. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Varley T. F., Goose D. H. Dental caries in children of immigrants in Liverpool. Br Dent J. 1971 Jan 5;130(1):27–29. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4802619. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Visscher B. R., Detels R., Coulson A. H., Malmgren R. M., Dudley J. P. Latitude, migration, and the prevalence of multiple sclerosis. Am J Epidemiol. 1977 Dec;106(6):470–475. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112493. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Walker A. R. Sugar intake and dental caries in pupils in four South African ethnic groups. S Afr Med J. 1975 Apr 5;49(15):616–620. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Wikström J., Palo J. Studies on the clustering of multiple sclerosis in Finland I: Comparison between the domiciles and places of birth in selected subpopulations. Acta Neurol Scand. 1975 Feb;51(2):85–98. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1975.tb01362.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Wolfgram F. Similar geographical distribution of multiple sclerosis and cancer of the colon. Acta Neurol Scand. 1975 Oct;52(4):294–302. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1975.tb05825.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES