Factors Related to Tooth Loss Among Community-Dwelling Middle-aged and Elderly Japanese Men

Abstract

BackgroundUsing data from a large-scale community-based Japanese population, we attempted to identify factors associated with tooth loss in middle-aged and elderly men.MethodsA total of 8352 men aged 40 to 79 years who lived in the north of the main island of Japan and underwent health checkups were enrolled between 2002 and 2005. Number of teeth was assessed by the question, “How many teeth do you have (0, 1–9, 10–19, or ≥20)?”. On the basis of the answer to this question, participants were classified into 2 groups (≤19 teeth or ≥20 teeth). Using multivariate logistic regression, factors related to having 19 or fewer teeth were estimated.ResultsThe numbers (percentages) of participants who had 0, 1 to 9, 10 to 19, and 20 or more teeth were 1764 (21.1%), 1779 (21.3%), 1836 (22.0%), and 2973 (35.6%), respectively. Among the participants overall and those aged 65 to 79 years, having 19 or fewer teeth was significantly associated with older age, smoking status (current smoking and ex-smoking), and low education level. In addition, men with 19 or fewer teeth were more likely to have a low body mass index and low serum albumin level and less likely to be current alcohol drinkers. Among men aged 40 to 64 years, but not men aged 65 to 79 years, those with 19 or fewer teeth were more likely to have a low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and high glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level.ConclusionsSmoking, low education level, and poor nutritional status were associated with tooth loss among middle-aged and elderly Japanese men.

Factors contributing to tooth loss among the elderly: A cross sectional study

“…Ando et al found that smoking, low education level, and poor nutritional status, had an association with tooth loss among middle-aged and elderly Japanese population [27], this agrees with our findings in the current study.…”

Is Accessibility to Dental Care Facilities in Rural Areas Associated with Number of Teeth in Elderly Residents?

“…This is particularly evident in socioeconomic factors. Previous studies revealed that a low education level was associated with tooth loss [6,23]. The reason is that education level is associated with the utilization of dental care and oral health behavior [19,20].…”

“…Several risk factors affecting tooth loss have been suggested, including sociodemographic factors (e.g., age and educational attainment) [5,6], lifestyle and health factors (e.g., nutritional status, smoking habits, and current history of disease) [5,6,7,8,9], and oral health conditions and behaviors (e.g., complaint of oral condition and dental care visits) [10,11]. Distance to dental care facilities is also a potential factor for tooth loss, especially in rural areas [12].…”

Implications of tobacco smoking on the oral health of older adults

“…Furthermore, an examination of 8352 men aged 40–79 years showed that the male ex‐smokers (aged 65–79 years) had a significantly higher risk of having 19 or fewer teeth as compared with their non‐smoking counterparts. The amount of destruction was directly proportional to the duration of smoking among older adults …”