The aim of the present study was to examine the dental status and smoking habits in randomized samples of 35-, 50-, 65-, and 75-year-old subjects (n = 1093), recruited for a cross-sectional epidemiological study in the County of Värmland, Sweden. The following clinical variables were recorded by 4 well-calibrated dentists: number of edentuolous subjects, number of missing teeth, probing attachment level, furcation involvement, CPITN scores, DMF surfaces, plaque and stimulated salivary secretion rate (SSSR). In addition, the subjects reported in a questionnaire their tobacco habits, oral hygiene habits, dietary habits etc. The percentage of smokers in 35-, 50-, 65-, and 75-year-olds was 35%, 35%, 24% and 12%, respectively. In 75-year-olds, 41% of the smokers were edentulous compared to 35% of non-smokers. The difference in number of missing teeth between smokers and non-smokers was 0.6 (p=0.15), 1.5 (p=0.013), 3.5 (p=0.0007) and 5.8 (p=0.005) in the 4 age groups. Smokers had the largest mean probing attachment loss in all age groups. The differences between smokers and non-smokers in mean attachment level were 0.37 (p=0.001), 0.88 (p=0.001), 0.85 (p=0.001) and 1.33 mm (p=0.002) in the 35-, 50-, 65-, and 75-year-olds, respectively. Treatment need assessed by CPITN was in all age groups greatest among smokers. The number of intact tooth surfaces was fewer in 35-, 50-, and 75-year-old smokers than in non-smokers. The number of missing surfaces (MS) was higher in 50-, 65-, and 75-year-old smokers than in non-smokers. In addition, 35-year-old smokers exhibited a significantly larger number of decayed and filled tooth surfaces (DFS) than non-smokers. Male smokers had significantly higher SSSR than non-smoking males (p=0.012). Plaque index and oral hygiene were similar in smokers and non-smokers. Smokers reported a more frequent intake of sugar containing soft drinks (p=0.000) and snacks (p=0.003) than non-smokers. The opposite was reported for consumption of fruit (p=0.003). It was concluded that smoking is a significant risk indicator for tooth loss, probing attachment loss and dental caries.

Educational level was shown to influence the oral conditions and should be considered in assessing risk, and in planning appropriate preventive measures.

In 1992 a questionnaire was sent to 50-year-olds in two Swedish counties. These self-report data were compared with clinical observations with regard to number of teeth, removable dentures, caries, and periodontitis. Complete information from both data sources was obtained for 1041 persons. The relevant questionnaire item explained 71% of the missing tooth variance. An agreement of 0.91 (Cohen's kappa) was obtained for removable dentures. A question about problems in opening the mouth differentiated clearly with regard to measured mouth opening ability. Toothache and tooth sensitivity were reported with 95% probability when having 22 decayed teeth and with 46% when there were no decayed teeth (58% correctly predicted). Two teeth with pockets > or = 6 mm gave 5% probability and 22 such teeth gave 39% probability of reporting migration of front teeth. The main conclusion from this study is that there is good correspondence between subjective self-reports and clinical findings, especially for those conditions that are relatively easy for the patient to observe, such as the number of teeth and the presence of dentures. Thus questionnaire data can be used for information and screening about some well-defined oral conditions.