J Dent Hyg Sci.  2021 Jun;21(2):104-110. 10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.2.104.

Does Rain Really Cause Toothache? Statistical Analysis Based on Google Trends

• Jeon SJ

• KMID: 2516934
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.2.104

Abstract

Background
Regardless of countries, the myth that rain makes the body ache has been worded in various forms, and a number of studies have been reported to investigate this. However, these studies, which depended on the patient’s experience or memory, had obvious limitations. Google Trends is a big data analysis service based on search terms and viewing videos provided by Google LLC, and attempts to use it in various fields are continuing. In this study, we endeavored to introduce the ‘value as a research tool’ of the Google Trends, that has emerged along with technological advancements, through research on ‘whether toothaches really occur frequently on rainy days’.
Methods
Keywords were selected as objectively as possible by applying web crawling and text mining techniques, and the keyword “bi” meaning rain in Korean was added to verify the reliability of Google Trends data. The correlation was statistically analyzed using precipitation and temperature data provided by the Korea Meteorological Agency and daily search volume data provided by Google Trends.
Results
Keywords “chi-gwa”, “chi-tong”, and “chung-chi” were selected, which in Korean mean ‘dental clinic’, ‘toothache’, and ‘tooth decay’ respectively. A significant correlation was found between the amount of precipitation and the search volume of tooth decay. No correlation was found between precipitation and other keywords or other combinations. It was natural that a very significant correlation was found between the amount of precipitation, temperature, and the search volume of “bi”.
Conclusion
Rain seems to actually be a cause of toothache, and if objective keyword selection is premised, Google Trends is considered to be very useful as a research tool in the future.

Keyword

Google Trends; Meteorotropic toothache; Research tools