Awareness of Gingival Recession and Its Causes and Consequences Among Adults in Saudi Arabia

TL;DR

This study assesses how aware Saudi adults are of gingival recession, its causes, and consequences, finding that awareness is influenced by factors like age, gender, and oral hygiene.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the awareness and risk factors of gingival recession in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive strategies.

Findings

Gingival recession prevalence was 26.66% among Saudi adults.

Dental plaque was the most reported cause of gingival recession.

Aesthetic concerns were the most recognized consequence of gingival recession.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Gingival recession (GR), characterized by the apical displacement of the gingival margin leading to root exposure, risk of root caries, dentine hypersensitivity (DH), and plaque accumulation. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, causes, and consequences of gingival recession among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional self-reported survey was conducted from September 2023 to December 2024, involving 619 participants (51.53% male). Participants were recruited through dental clinics, community centers, and online platforms across multiple regions in Saudi Arabia to ensure diverse demographic and socioeconomic representation. A validated 27-question survey collected data on demographics, oral hygiene practices, and GR awareness and related factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of GR was 26.66%, dental plaque was the most frequently reported causing factor, followed by medical conditions (45.4%). Aesthetic concerns were the most recognized consequence (78.4%) followed by periodontitis and tooth mobility and tooth loss (58.5%). Medical disease (Odds Ratio OR = 2.149, p < 0.0001), trauma (OR = 1.515, p = 0.0078), and rough brushing (OR = 1.431, p = 0.0233) were identified as significant risk factors for gingival recession. The association between gingival recession (GR) and its perceived consequences was generally not statistically significant. However, a significant relationship was observed with dental caries (p = 0.0472). Conclusions: Gingival recession awareness among Saudi adults was influenced by age, gender, smoking, and oral hygiene factors. The findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness and promoting preventive strategies targeting modifiable risk factors to reduce GR prevalence and clinical impact.

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