Digital Periodontal Search Demand and English-Language Web-Based Information Quality: An Infodemiological Assessment Across Worldwide Google Trends Regions

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate worldwide online search behavior related to periodon- tal diseases and to examine whether public search demand is aligned with the quality, reliability, readability, and completeness of English-language web-based health information. Material and Methods A cross-sectional infodemiological study was conducted using Google Trends rela- tive search volume data for periodontal disease-related terms between January 2019 and December 2025. Search interest was assessed globally and across six Goo- gle Trends world regions. In parallel, English-language first-page Google results retrieved for the same terms were evaluated. Website quality was assessed using JAMA benchmarks, DISCERN, a pilot-tested content completeness score, and readability indices. Correlation and multivariable regression analyses were performed. ResultsGlobal search interest increased significantly from 2019 to 2025 for all evaluated terms, with the largest relative increase for "periodontitis" (+53.6%, P < 0.001) and"gingivitis" (+41.0%, p = 0.002). The highest median 2025 relative search volumes were observed for "gum disease" (RSV = 67) and "bleeding gums" (RSV = 61). Uni-versity/governmental websites showed higher JAMA (3.42 ± 0.58) and DISCERN scores (66.8 ± 8.7) than commercial clinic websites (1.96 ± 0.81 and 45.7 ± 12.1, respectively; P < 0.001). Search volume was not significantly associated with DIS- CERN score (p = 0.241). Conclusion Periodontal disease-related search demand is high worldwide; however, the En- glish-language information encountered through first-page Google results remains inconsistent in quality and readability. Digital periodontal health strategies should prioritize transparent authorship, evidence-based content, periodic updating, and patient-centered readability.