Impact of risk factor control interventions for smoking cessation and promotion of healthy lifestyles in patients with periodontitis: a systematic review

Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to identify the most recent widely accepted guidelines for risk factor control interventions and to assess their impact in patients with periodontitis. Materials and methods: The electronic search strategy included a first systematic search to identify guidelines for interventions for smoking cessation, diabetes control, physical exercise (activity), change of diet, carbohydrate (dietary sugar) reduction and weight loss in the general population and a second systematic search to identify the studies evaluating these interventions in periodontitis patients. Results: A total of 13 guidelines and 25 studies were selected. Most guidelines included recommendations for all healthcare providers to provide interventions and follow-up counselling with the risk factors considered in the present review. In patients with periodontitis, interventions for smoking cessation and diabetes control were shown to improve periodontal health while the impact of dietary interventions and the promotion of other healthy lifestyles were moderate or limited. Conclusions: While aiming to improve treatment outcomes and the maintenance of periodontal health, current evidence suggests that interventions for smoking cessation and diabetes control are effective, thus emphasizing the need of behavioural support in periodontal care.