Oral health in relation to all-cause mortality: the IPC cohort study

Association among the number of teeth, dental prosthesis use, and subjective happiness: A cross-sectional study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation study (JAGES)

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Little is known about the association between the number of teeth and self-rated happiness or the association between dental prosthesis use and self-rated happiness in an older population.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between the number remaining of teeth with and without dental prosthesis use and self-rated happiness in an older population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The survey data from the 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) on independent participants aged 65 years or older were assessed. The Poisson regression and multiple imputation methods were used for analyses. Covariates were age, sex, marital status, educational attainment, self-rated health, self-rated economic situation, and symptoms of depression.

RESULTS

The data from 178 090 participants, 81 489 men (45.8%) and 96 601 women (54.2%), were analyzed, with a mean ±standard deviation age of 73.6 ±6.1 years. Overall, 66.4% of the participants were happy, declining to 45.7% in those who had 0 to 9 teeth and no dental prosthesis (n=3102). It was 61.5% in those who had 0 to 9 teeth and used a dental prosthesis (n=41 424), 56.8% in those who had 10 to 19 teeth and no dental prosthesis (n=6719), 65% in those who had 10 to 19 teeth and used a dental prosthesis (n=31 592), 70.5% in those who had ≥20 teeth and no dental prosthesis (n=52 525), and 70.1% in those who had ≥20 teeth and used a dental prosthesis (n=42 728). The interaction analysis showed that the reduction in the probability of being happy among those with fewer teeth was smaller among those who used a dental prosthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Having a higher number of teeth and using a dental prosthesis were independently associated with being happy. A significant interaction suggested that dental prosthesis use improves happiness among those with moderate to severe tooth loss (<20 remaining teeth).

Recalled body silhouette trajectories over the lifespan and oral conditions in adulthood: A cross-sectional analysis of the Paris Prospective Study 3

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between life-course body silhouette changes and oral conditions in adulthood.

METHODS

At study recruitment (2008-2012), 5430 adults underwent a full-mouth clinical examination and recalled their body silhouettes at ages 8, 15, 25, 35 and 45. Life-course trajectories of body silhouettes were computed using group-based trajectory modelling. Gingival inflammation, dental plaque, masticatory units, numbers of healthy, missing, decayed and filled teeth at study recruitment were clustered. The associations between body silhouette trajectories and clusters of oral conditions were assessed by multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 4472 participants. Five body silhouette trajectories were established: lean-stable (30.0%), lean-increased (19.3%), moderate stable (18.1%), lean-marked increased (25.8%) and heavy stable (6.7%). Three clusters of oral conditions were identified: optimal oral health and preserved masticatory capacity (70.0%, cluster 1), moderate oral health and moderately impaired masticatory capacity (25.4%, cluster 2) and poor oral health and severely impaired masticatory capacity (4.7%, cluster 3). Participants with a lean-increased trajectory were 58% more likely than those with a lean-stable trajectory to be in cluster 3 (aOR 1.58 [95% CI 1.07; 2.35]) relative to cluster 1, independently of covariates measured at study recruitment and including age, sex, smoking, socioeconomic status, BMI, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and triglycerides.

CONCLUSIONS

A life-course lean-increased body silhouette trajectory is associated with higher likelihood of poor oral health and severely impaired masticatory capacity in adulthood.

Prevalence of abnormalities seen on orthopantomograms performed for forensic age estimation in unaccompanied minor asylum seekers

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the prevalence of radiological anomalies on orthopantomograms (OPT) performed as part of forensic age estimation in unaccompanied minors.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study conducted on 208 OPT examinations requested by a magistrate. These OPTs were interpreted independently by two readers to establish the number of missing teeth (MT), presence of dental fillings (DF), and dental anomalies (DA). The presence of radiolucent (RL), radiopaque, and mixed lesions was also assessed.

RESULTS

Most radiologic anomalies were RL, detected on 41% and 39% of the subjects evaluated for R1 and R2, respectively, with a mean of 1.3 ± 2.4 (1-16) and 1.1 ± 2 (1-13) RL lesions per subject. Among the RL identified, the majority were dental (70% for R1 and 65% for R2), all of which had a suspected infectious origin. Among readers, 43% and 41% of the subjects evaluated presented MT, 21% and 15% presented DF, and 22% and 20% presented DA for R1 and R2, respectively. The inter- and intra-observer reproducibility for OPT classification was considered excellent (Kappa = 0.84, 95% CI 0.78-0.90, and Kappa = 0, 95, 95% CI 0.86-0.99).

DISCUSSION

There was a non-negligible prevalence of radiological anomalies in OPT studies performed for forensic age estimation. Most of these lesions were suspected to be infectious in origin, potentially requiring medical care. This constitutes an ethical dilemma inherent in the judicial expertise injunction requiring a limited specific response.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

This study highlights a non-negligible prevalence of supposedly infectious radiological abnormalities. The restricted possibility for the legal expert to declare these abnormalities raises ethical and medical questions.

KEY POINTS

• Orthopantomograms can be performed as part of forensic age estimation. • Results indicate the majority of radiological anomalies detected on OPTs were of suspected infectious origin. • These findings give rise to ethical and medical questions about the way in which these forensic examinations are carried out.

Periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A critical appraisal

In spite of intensive research efforts driving spectacular advances in terms of prevention and treatments, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading health burden, accounting for 32% of all deaths (World Health Organization. "Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)." WHO, February 1, 2017, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)). Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. They encompass a collection of different conditions, among which atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the most prevalent. CVDs caused by atherosclerosis, that is, ASCVD, are particularly fatal: with heart attack and stroke being together the most prevalent cause of death in the world. To reduce the health burden represented by ASCVD, it is urgent to identify the nature of the "residual risk," beyond the established risk factors (e.g., hypertension) and behavioral factors already maximally targeted by drugs and public health campaigns. Remarkably, periodontitis is increasingly recognized as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

Association between missing teeth number and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: NHANES 1999-2004 and 2009-2014

BACKGROUND

The association between tooth loss and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality requires further investigation.

METHODS

This study included 17993 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1999-2004 and 2009-2014. Weighted multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between tooth loss and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were incorporated in the models to explore potential nonlinear relationships.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 116 months, 2152 participants died, including 625 cardiovascular deaths. Compared to participants without missing teeth, participants with 11-19 missing teeth had the highest risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-2.51), while participants with 6-10 missing teeth had the highest risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.68-3.76). RCS analyses revealed nonlinear associations between number of missing teeth and all-cause (p < 0.001) and cardiovascular (p = 0.001) mortality. With < 10 missing teeth, each additional missing tooth increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 6% (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09) and 9% (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15), respectively. However, when the number of missing teeth was ≥10, the risk of mortality did not continue to increase with more missing teeth. A significant interaction was found between tooth loss and age (p < 0.001 for both outcomes).

CONCLUSION

We observed an inverted L-shaped association between tooth loss and mortality, wherein risks increased with more missing teeth until 10, but did not continue increasing thereafter. The association was stronger in adults < 65 years old.

Evaluation of masticatory performance by motion capture analysis of jaw movement

BACKGROUND

The assessment of masticatory performance (MP) is conducted in hospitals, but is difficult to perform in nursing facilities that lack specialists in dysphagia. To select the appropriate food textures in nursing practice, a simple method of evaluating the MP should be developed.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate motion parameters that influence MP by motion capture analysis of maxillofacial movement on chewing gummy jelly in healthy adults.

METHODS

The subjects were 50 healthy adults. The state of chewing gummy jelly was photographed using a high-speed camera. Simultaneously, we evaluated the amount of glucose extracted (AGE) obtained with gummy jelly as a reference value for MP. The subjects were divided into two groups: normal and low masticatory groups (NG and LG, respectively) based on the AGE. The cycle of mastication was classified into three phases: closing phase (CP), transition phase (TP) and opening phase (OP) through motion capture analysis of the video photographed. Parameters of jaw movement and their associations with the AGE were examined.

RESULTS

The transition phase rate (TR) and opening phase rate (OR) were correlated with the AGE. Furthermore, the TR in the NG was significantly higher than in the LG, whereas the OR was significantly lower than in the LG. The age, TR and opening velocity were significant independent variables.

CONCLUSION

Motion capture technology facilitated the analysis of jaw movement. The results suggested that MP can be evaluated by analysing the TP and OP rates.

Influence of the Oral Health Assessment Tool Score on Survival of Patients With Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

We investigated the influence of the preoperative Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) score on the outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer after curative surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 90 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent curative surgery and who were screened with the OHAT between 2008 and 2021. The OHAT consists of eight categories with three possible scores. The risk factors for 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into healthy (n=42) and unhealthy (n=48) groups. The OHAT score was identified as a significant risk factor for postoperative pneumonia (11.9% vs. 43.8%, p=0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (20.5 days vs. 50.1 days, p=0.042). The 5-year OS rate after surgery was 71.2% in the healthy group and 43.2% in the unhealthy group, which was a significant difference (p=0.015). A multivariate analysis showed that a high OHAT score was a significant independent factor for 5-year OS (p=0.034).

CONCLUSION

The OHAT score was a useful prognostic marker in patients who underwent curative surgery for esophageal cancer. To improve the oncological outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer, it is necessary to carefully plan perioperative oral/dental care using the OHAT score.

Exploring the relationship between oral health and multiple health conditions: An outcome-wide approach

PURPOSE

A growing body of evidence suggests that oral health is associated with a wide range of health outcomes; however, opinions tend to vary because of inconsistent findings. This study aimed to simultaneously examine the association between oral health status and multiple health and well-being indicators using outcome-wide epidemiology.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. Oral health status was categorized as: ≥20 teeth, 10-19 teeth with dental prosthesis, 0-9 teeth with prosthesis, 10-19 teeth without prosthesis, and 0-9 teeth without prosthesis. We examined the associations between oral health status in 2013 and 35 health and well-being outcomes in 2019, including physical/cognitive health, psychological distress, subjective health, social well-being, prosocial/altruistic behaviors, and health behaviors, using two databases (n=32,827 and 15,905).

RESULTS

Compared to individuals with ≥20 teeth, those with <20 teeth had a 10-33% higher risk of mortality and a 7-10% higher risk of functional disability six years later. Additionally, individuals with fewer than 20 teeth tended to go out less frequently and eat fewer vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, individuals with 0-9 teeth without a prosthesis were more likely to have severe functional disability (risk ratio (RR):1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.05-1.31), engage in fewer intellectual activities (standardized difference: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.10-0.24), and feel more hopeless (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04-1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevention of tooth loss and prosthodontic treatment may be associated with reduced mortality and functional disability, as well as maintenance of intellectual ability, frequency of going out, and improvements in dietary lifestyle.

Oral Health and Mortality Among Older Adults: A Doubly Robust Survival Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Evidence on the association between oral health and mortality is inconclusive, and few studies have accounted for the nonrandom selection bias in estimating their relationship. This study aims to investigate the link between oral health and mortality in community-dwelling older adults by adjusting for confounding factors with a doubly robust survival estimation.

METHODS

Data came from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) and were linked to the National Death Index mortality data through December 2015. The analytic sample consisted of 4,880 adults aged ≥60 years. Oral health measures included objective clinical indicators (edentulism, periodontitis, and untreated dental caries) and self-rated oral health. Cox proportional hazards regression models and inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment for observational survival-time estimation were utilized to assess the relationship between oral health and mortality. Analyses were conducted in 2021.

RESULTS

Edentulism (average treatment effect= -26.13, 95% CI= -48.69, -3.57) was associated with a reduction in survival time. Periodontal conditions and dental caries were related to all-cause mortality in Cox models but became nonsignificant when inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment survival estimation was applied. Good self-rated oral health was significantly related to an increase in survival time (average treatment effect=21.50; 95% CI= 4.92, 38.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Both objective and subjective oral health are risk factors for mortality among older adults. Improving access to dental screening and treatment among community-dwelling older adults has the potential to reduce oral health‒related risks of mortality.

Association of Glycated Hemoglobin Level with Self-Reported Chewing Problems in Elderly Community-Dwelling Individuals in Japan

Purpose

Chewing problems are associated with increased mortality, geriatric syndromes and poor activities of daily living. Starting in 2018, in Japan, a self-reported questionnaire investigating chewing status was implemented in the annual health checkup program. Considering the bidirectional association between hyperglycemia and poor oral health, it is hypothesized that people with self-reported chewing problems will have relatively poor glycemic profiles. We investigated the metabolic characteristics of elderly community dwellers with self-reported chewing problems, as well as the association between the problems and HbA1c levels.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. We reviewed the data of 1018 adults ≥ 65 years of age who had undergone an annual health checkup at Nihon University Hospital during the period from January 2019 through December 2019. The presence of chewing problems was investigated using a self-reported questionnaire constructed based on guidance provided by the Japanese government.

Results

In the 1018 participants, the overall prevalence of chewing problems was 10.4%. Participants with chewing problems showed significantly higher levels and worse categories of HbA1c than those without such problems (HbA1c < 6.0%, 42.5% vs 54.8%; HbA1c 6.0-6.9%, 41.5% vs 37.0%; HbA1c ≥ 7.0%, 16.0% vs 8.2%, p = 0.008). Participants with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% have a significantly increased risk of chewing problems as compared to those with HbA1c < 6.0% (odds ratio 2.76, p = 0.002), even after adjusting for the effects of age, sex, body mass index, eating behaviors, and history of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

HbA1c ≥ 7.0% is associated with self-reported chewing problems in elderly Japanese community-dwellers. We thus recommend a proactive assessment of oral conditions for this population.

Comparison of the Amount of Used and the Ease of Oral Care between Liquid and Gel-Type Oral Moisturizers Used with an Oral Care Simulators

Oral care involving the removal of dry sputum is effective for older patients who require nursing care or hospitalization. However, safe and efficient oral care methods for such patients remain unclear. We aimed to simulate the oral cavity of older adults with dry mouth and elucidate the differences between two moisturization agents, water and gel-like oral moisturizer, and investigate the effect of occupation and experience on the amount of use and the ease of oral care. Using an oral care simulator (MANABOT^®, Nissin Dental Products Inc., Kyoto, Japan), 42 students and 48 dental professionals (13 dentists and 35 dental hygienists) performed oral care using moisturization agents to facilitate dry sputum removal. The time required for oral care, amount of water or gel used, amount of pharyngeal inflow, and ease of oral care when using water or gel were compared. The simulations revealed that the amount of use and pharyngeal inflow for gel (2.9 ± 1.6 and 0.3 ± 0.3, respectively) were significantly lower than those for water (6.8 ± 4.1 and 1.2 ± 1.5, respectively) in all participants. Using a gel-like moisturizer might reduce the aspiration risk in older patients requiring nursing care or hospitalization, regardless of occupation and experience.

Tooth count, untreated caries and mortality in US adults: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The link between oral diseases and mortality remains under-explored. We aimed to evaluate the associations between tooth count, untreated caries and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

METHODS

Data on 24 029 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988-94/1999-2010, with mortality linkage to the National Death Index to 31 December 2015, were analysed. Baseline total number of permanent teeth and any untreated caries were assessed by trained dental professionals.

RESULTS

During up to 27 years of follow-up, 5270 deaths occurred. Fewer permanent teeth were associated with higher all-cause mortality, including heart disease and cancer mortality (all P <0.05 for trend) but not cerebrovascular disease mortality. For every 10 teeth missing, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.18) for all-cause, 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.29) for heart disease and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.29) for cancer mortality. Untreated caries was associated with increased all-cause (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.39) and heart disease mortality (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.88) but not cerebrovascular disease/cancer mortality, after adjusting for tooth count, periodontitis and sociodemographic/lifestyle factors. Compared with those without untreated caries and with 25-28 teeth, individuals with untreated caries and 1-16 teeth had a 53% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.85) and 96 % increased risk of heart disease mortality (HR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In nationally representative cohorts, fewer permanent teeth and untreated caries were associated with all-cause and heart disease mortality. Fewer teeth were also associated with higher cancer mortality.

Oral Condition and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: A Clustering Analysis

Poor oral health has been linked to coronary heart disease (CHD). Clustering clinical oral conditions routinely recorded in adults may identify their CHD risk profile. Participants from the Paris Prospective Study 3 received, between 2008 and 2012, a baseline routine full-mouth clinical examination and an extensive physical examination and were thereafter followed up every 2 y until September 2020. Three axes defined oral health conditions: 1) healthy, missing, filled, and decayed teeth; 2) masticatory capacity denoted by functional masticatory units; and 3) gingival inflammation and dental plaque. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models and adjusted for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, education, deprivation (EPICES score; Evaluation of Deprivation and Inequalities in Health Examination Centres), hypertension, type 2 diabetes, LDL and HDL serum cholesterol (low- and high-density lipoprotein), triglycerides, lipid-lowering medications, NT-proBNP and IL-6 serum level. A sample of 5,294 participants (age, 50 to 75 y; 37.10% women) were included in the study. Cluster analysis identified 3,688 (69.66%) participants with optimal oral health and preserved masticatory capacity (cluster 1), 1,356 (25.61%) with moderate oral health and moderately impaired masticatory capacity (cluster 2), and 250 (4.72%) with poor oral health and severely impaired masticatory capacity (cluster 3). After a median follow-up of 8.32 y (interquartile range, 8.00 to 10.05), 128 nonfatal incident CHD events occurred. As compared with cluster 1, the risk of CHD progressively increased from cluster 2 (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.98 to 2.15) to cluster 3 (hazard ratio, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.34 to 4.57; P < 0.05 for trend). To conclude, middle-aged individuals with poor oral health and severely impaired masticatory capacity have more than twice the risk of incident CHD than those with optimal oral health and preserved masticatory capacity (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00741728).

Prognostic significance of subjective oral dysfunction on the all-cause mortality

BACKGROUND

As the proportion of elderly population grows, it raises concern about impaired oral health which has been reported to be associated with increased risk of numerous adverse health events. Emerging study defined oral frailty as poor oral health accumulation and demonstrated that oral frailty was a risk factor of disability, physical frailty and mortality. In this study, we examined the association between subjective oral dysfunction and all-cause mortality in the United States.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional observational study, a total of 7827 participants who completed oral functions data from 1999 to 2002 NHANES database were recruited. Subjective oral dysfunction included 3 components: limited eating ability, dry mouth and difficult swallowing, which were obtained from self-reported questionnaire. For primary outcome, all-cause mortality was followed from baseline to death or 2006. The relationship of subjective oral dysfunction and all-cause mortality was assessed by Cox regression model.

RESULTS

A statistically significant relationship between subjective oral dysfunction and all-cause mortality was observed in fully adjusted model. Participants with more components of subjective oral dysfunction had worse risk of all-cause mortality. Limited eating ability was inversely associated with muscle strength.

CONCLUSION

Subjective oral dysfunction which was obtained from an easy self-assessment survey might be a potential risk factor for all-cause mortality and could be used for initial screening during general health examination.

Association between Oral Pathology, Carotid Stenosis, and Oral Bacterial DNA in Cerebral Thrombi of Patients with Stroke

Methods

Thrombus aspirates and control arterial blood were taken from 71 patients (70.4% male; mean age, 67.4 years) with acute ischemic stroke. Tooth pathology was registered using CT scans. Carotid stenosis was estimated with CTA and ultrasonography. The presence of bacterial DNA from aspirated thrombi was determined using quantitative PCR. We also analyzed the presence of these bacterial DNAs in carotid endarterectomies from patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Results

Bacterial DNA was found in 59 (83.1%) of the thrombus aspirates (median, 8.6-fold). Oral streptococcal DNA was found in 56 (78.9%) of the thrombus aspirates (median, 5.1-fold). DNA from A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis was not found. Most patients suffered from poor oral health and had in median 19.0 teeth left. Paradoxically, patients with better oral health had more oral streptococcal DNA in their thrombus than the group with the worst pathology (p = 0.028). There was a trend (OR 7.122; p = 0.083) in the association of ≥50% carotid artery stenosis with more severe dental pathology. Oral streptococcal DNA was detected in 2/6 of carotid endarterectomies.

Conclusions

Stroke patients had poor oral health which tended to associate with their carotid artery stenosis. Although oral streptococcal DNA was found in thrombus aspirates and carotid endarterectomy samples, the amount of oral streptococcal DNA in thrombus aspirates was the lowest among those with the most severe oral pathology. These results suggest that the association between poor oral health and acute ischemic stroke is linked to carotid artery atherosclerosis.

Self-reported periodontal health and incident hypertension: longitudinal evidence from the NutriNet-Santé e-cohort

OBJECTIVE

An association between periodontitis and arterial hypertension has been suggested recently. This study aimed at investigating the hypothesis that periodontal health is linked to incident arterial hypertension.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the French population-based e-cohort NutriNet-Santé, selecting participants who had completed two oral health questionnaires in 2011-2012. Pregnant women, participants with diabetes, cancer, arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases at inclusion were excluded. Incident cases of arterial hypertension were self-reported and/or based on the use of antihypertensive therapy. Periodontal health was evaluated by estimating the modified and validated PEriodontal Screening Score (mPESS), with mPESS at least 5 corresponding to a high probability of severe periodontitis. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazards regression models, taking into account sociodemographic and lifestyle confounders, were used.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 32 285 participants (mean age: 45.79 ± 13.87 years); 78.5% were women. Two thousand one hundred and sixteen incident cases of arterial hypertension were identified during a median follow-up of 8 years (April 2012--December 2019). In the fully adjusted model, an mPESS at least 5 [hazard ratio: 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-2.03] and the presence of nonreplaced missing teeth (hazard ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03-1.23) were significantly associated with a greater risk of incident arterial hypertension, whereas a regular annual visit to the dentist was associated with a lower risk (hazard ratio: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80-0.97).

CONCLUSION

Self-reported assessed periodontitis was associated with incident arterial hypertension over an 8-year period. The present results highlight the importance of considering periodontal health when assessing an individual's risk of arterial hypertension.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

# NCT03335644.

Poor Masticatory Capacity and Blood Biomarkers of Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Community: The Paris Prospective Study III

[Figure: see text].

Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Survival Data

Tooth loss reflects the endpoint of two major dental diseases: dental caries and periodontitis. These comprise 2% of the global burden of human diseases. A lower number of teeth has been associated with various systemic diseases, in particular, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ACVD). The aim was to summarize the evidence of tooth loss related to the risk for ACVD or death. Cohort studies with prospective follow-up data were retrieved from Medline-PubMed and EMBASE. Following the PRISMA guidelines, two reviewers independently selected articles, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data on the number of teeth (tooth loss; exposure) and ACVD-related events and all-cause mortality (ACM) (outcome). A total of 75 articles were included of which 44 were qualified for meta-analysis. A lower number of teeth was related to a higher outcome risk; the pooled risk ratio (RR) for the cumulative incidence of ACVD ranged from 1.69 to 2.93, and for the cumulative incidence of ACM, the RR ranged from 1.76 to 2.27. The pooled multiple adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the incidence density of ACVD ranged from 1.02 to 1.21, and for the incidence density of ACM, the HR ranged from 1.02 to 1.30. This systematic review and meta-analyses of survival data show that a lower number of teeth is a risk factor for both ACVD and death. Health care professionals should use this information to inform their patients and increase awareness on the importance of good dental health and increase efforts to prevent tooth loss.

Factors Influencing Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults in Rural Areas: Oral Dryness and Oral Health Knowledge and Behavior

The oral health of older adults is an important factor affecting their overall health and quality of life. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of oral health of older adults living at home in rural areas and investigate factors affecting oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), especially oral dryness and oral health knowledge and behavior. A descriptive correlational study was conducted. In total, 117 participants were included in the final analysis. Data were collected using questionnaires for oral dryness, oral health knowledge and behavior, and OHRQoL. In addition, oral dryness was measured by mechanical measurements. Oral health knowledge was positively correlated with oral health behavior (r = 0.18, p = 0.029) and OHRQoL (r = 0.25, p = 0.003). In addition, a positive correlation between oral health behavior and OHRQoL (r = 0.24, p = 0.005) was observed. Multiple regression analysis revealed that subjective oral dryness (β = −4.99, p = 0.001) had a significant effect on OHRQoL. To improve OHRQoL in the rural elderly, health providers should pay attention to oral dryness and comprehensively evaluate it. The development of prevention programs and continuous education that can improve oral health knowledge and behavior is also required.

Association between denture use, chewing ability, and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older adults who exercised regularly in Korea

Herein, using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2018), we evaluated denture use and chewing ability to determine the status of oral health in middle-aged adults who exercised regularly; further, we investigated the relationship of oral health with all-cause mortality. From the basic survey conducted in 2006, we interviewed 10,254 participants who were followed up until death. The participants were grouped based on regular exercise into REG (n = 3921) and non-REG (n = 6290) groups. The mortality rate was higher in the non-REG group than in the REG group (35.8% versus 26.9%; p < 0.001). The mortality rate was higher in denture users (versus non-denture users), non-drinkers (versus alcohol drinkers), and those on medical aid (versus national health insurance). The mortality rate was higher in participants with poor masticatory ability, lower education level, and poor subjective health perception (p < 0.001). Denture use and masticatory discomfort were not significant risk factors for mortality in the non-REG group (p > 0.05). In conclusion, masticatory discomfort was a risk factor for increased mortality in middle-aged Korean adults who exercised regularly, at least once a week. Thus, assessment of masticatory ability could be a useful indicator of life expectancy in middle-aged adults.

The Impact of Dental Care in Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of dental care on head and neck (H&N) cancer survival.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL to find all relevant studies from the date of inception to March 2020. Systematic review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and meta-analysis was performed using the random effects logistic regression model. Primary outcomes of interest were 5-year survival and hazard ratios comparing survival between dental care subgroups.

RESULTS

H&N cancer survival rates strongly correlate with dental care adherence. Patients with good dental care had significantly better survival than patients with poor dental care (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55-0.83), with similar improved survival among patients with moderate versus poor dental care (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.57-0.80). In addition, patients with good dental care had significantly decreased mortality than those with moderate dental care (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-0.96), indicating an exposure-response gradient.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with H&N cancer, survival is significantly higher in those who receive recommended dental care compared with those who do not.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A Laryngoscope, 2021.

Impact of Poor Oral Health on Community-Dwelling Seniors: A Scoping Review

The aim of this scoping review was to determine health-related impacts of poor oral health among community-dwelling seniors. Using MeSH terms and keywords such as elderly, general health, geriatrics, 3 electronic databases-Medline, CINAHL, and Age Line were searched. Title and abstracts were independently screened by 3 reviewers, followed by full-texts review. A total of 131 articles met our inclusion criteria, the majority of these studies were prospective cohort (77%, n = 103), and conducted in Japan (42 %, n = 55). These studies were categorized into 16 general health outcomes, with mortality (24%, n = 34), and mental health disorders (21%, n = 30) being the most common outcomes linked with poor oral health. 90% (n = 120) of the included studies reported that poor oral health in seniors can subsequently lead to a higher risk of poor general health outcomes among this population. Improving access to oral healthcare services for elderly can help not only reduce the burden of oral diseases in this population group but also address the morbidity and mortality associated with other general health diseases and conditions caused due to poor oral health. Findings from this study can help identify shortcomings in existing oral healthcare programs for elderly and develop future programs and services to improve access and utilization of oral care services by elderly.

Association between periodontitis and pulse wave velocity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Severe periodontitis has been associated with endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The present study aimed to provide a critical appraisal and a meta-analysis of the literature investigating pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with and without severe periodontitis and to assess whether treatments influence PWV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

English literature was searched on multiple databases up to April 2020 by two independent reviewers. Studies comparing PWV between patients with and without severe periodontitis or assessing the impact of periodontal treatments on PWV were searched and retrieved. Pool data analyses with random effect models were performed. The risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and RoB2 tools.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were selected. Of these, 10 were used for the meta-analysis. Twelve were cross-sectional studies and 5 interventional studies, including 3176 patients, of whom 1894 had severe periodontitis and 1282 were considered as the controls (without severe periodontitis). Based on carotid-femoral PWV measurement, patients with severe periodontitis (n = 309) have a significantly higher PVW than patients with non-severe periodontitis (n = 213), with a mean difference of 0.84 m/s (95% CI 0.50-1.18; p < 0.0001; I² = 5%). Similarly, carotid-radial or brachial-ankle PWV values were significantly higher in patients with severe periodontitis. Results concerning the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy were not conclusive. Overall, 9 studies (53%) were classified at a low risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that patients with severe periodontitis have higher PWV compared to patients with non-severe periodontitis.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Severe periodontitis is associated with arterial stiffness, supporting the mutual involvement of dentists and physicians.

Association between dental factors and mortality

AIM

To study whether oral parameters such as endodontic infections, root canal fillings, number of teeth or wearing removable dentures at baseline are associated with cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality in a follow-up of approximately 8 years.

METHODOLOGY

The Finnish Parogene cohort consists of 508 Finnish adults (mean age 63.3 years, SD 9.1) with cardiac symptoms, all of whom had undergone coronary angiography for accurate baseline coronary status. Extensive clinical and radiographic oral examinations were performed, and additional data were acquired from medical records and questionnaires. Root canal fillings and endodontic lesions, as well as their co-occurrence, were determined from panoramic radiographs. The mortality data were assessed via record linkage with the Finnish Causes of Death register (mean follow-up time 7.81 years, SD 1.45 years). A total of n = 471 dentate patients were included in the statistical analyses.

RESULTS

A total of n = 69 deaths were recorded, of which n = 41 were due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs, ICD-10 I00-I99). The deceased had fewer root canal fillings (mean 1.57; SD 1.64 vs. mean 2.30; SD 2.34, P = 0.03) than the survivors. The number of missing teeth was associated with smoking, occluded coronary arteries and diabetes. Cox regression with Firth's penalized maximum-likelihood method using age as timescale revealed an inverse association (HR; 95%CI) between mortality and number of teeth (all-cause 0.91; 0.86-0.96, CVD mortality 0.89; 0.83-0.96), use of removable dentures (all-cause 0.24; 0.09-0.62, CVD mortality 0.20; 0.06-0.72), root canal fillings (all-cause 0.82; 0.70-0.94, CVD mortality 0.79; 0.63-0.96) and having root canal fillings in all teeth with apical rarefactions (all-cause 0.27; 0.06-0.79, CVD mortality 0.09; 0.01-0.63), when gender, smoking, occluded coronary arteries, periodontal inflammatory burden index and the number of teeth were adjusted for.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of missing teeth appeared to be the strongest predictor of mortality in this study, whereas endodontic infections per se had no independent association. Nevertheless, signs of professional intervention in these problems, such as root canal fillings and removable dentures, appeared to be associated with improved survival, which might partly be explained by the utilization of healthcare services.

Mortality-and Health-Related Factors in a Community-Dwelling of Oldest-Older Adults at the Age of 90: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Mortality is obviously intended for epidemiological studies of community-dwelling older adults. There are several health-related factors associated with nutritional status and mortality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factor for mortality in community-dwelling oldest-older adults at the age of 90 and clarify the structure of health-related factors associated with mortality. A 10-year follow-up study was performed for 93 subjects at the age of 90. The mean and median of their survival days were 2373 and 2581 days for women, and 1694 and 1793 days for men. By Cox's proportional hazards model, health-related factors associated with mortality were self-assessed for chewing ability, activities of daily living (ADLs), serum albumin, total cholesterol, serum creatinine, and gripping power for women but not for men. These factors interacted with each other, and the association of these factors was different in women and men. Self-assessed chewing ability was a powerful risk factor for mortality in women at the age of 90. It acted independently from nutritional status. For older adults, addressing healthy food choices together with improved oral functions is useful. However, risk factors for mortality may depend on the life stage of subjects. To investigate the risk factor for the mortality, the life course approach is necessary.

Association between presence of 20 or more natural teeth and all-cause, cancer-related, and cardiovascular disease-related mortality: Yamagata (Takahata) prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have surveyed the relationship between the presence of ≥ 20 natural teeth and mortality. However, very few have evaluated this association over a long-term follow-up of more than ten years within a large population in Japan. This study aimed to prospectively confirm the associations between mortality and the presence of ≥ 20 natural teeth within a community-based population in Japan.

METHODS

A prospective observational study including 2208 participants aged ≥ 40 years was conducted in Takahata Town, Japan, between May 2005 and December 2016. All participants answered a self-administered questionnaire to provide their background characteristics, including their number of teeth. The participants were classified into two categories based on their self-reported number of teeth (< 20 and ≥ 20 teeth). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional-hazards regression model to assess risk factors for all-cause, cancer-, and cardiovascular disease-related mortality.

RESULTS

The total follow-up period was 131.4 ± 24.1 months (mean ± SD). After adjusting for covariates, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the group with < 20 teeth than in those with ≥ 20 teeth (HR = 1.604, 95% CI 1.007-2.555, p = 0.047). However, the risk of cancer- and cardiovascular disease-related mortalities was not statistically significant between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

In this study, participants with < 20 teeth had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality, although the difference was borderline significant. These results emphasize the importance of having ≥ 20 natural teeth for a healthy life expectancy.

Association of Tooth Loss with New-Onset Parkinson's Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Introduction

Tooth loss is associated with poor oral hygiene. During insufficient oral sanitation, focal infection and inflammation can occur and these reactions may induce systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammatory reaction may be related to the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. We hypothesized that tooth loss is related to increased risk of new-onset Parkinson's disease.

Methods

Between 2003 and 2006, we included 153,165 participants from the national health insurance system-health screening cohort in Korea. The incidence of new-onset Parkinson's disease was defined as International Classification of Diseases-10 code “G20,” accompanying the prescription records for any anti-Parkinson's disease medication.

Results

Approximately 19.9% of the included participants had periodontal disease. After a median duration of 10.4 years, 1,227 (0.8%) cases of new-onset Parkinson's disease were noted. The number of tooth loss was positively related to an increased risk of new-onset Parkinson's disease. Contrastingly, the frequency of tooth brushings and dental clinic visits for any causes as well as competent dental care were negatively related to the development of new-onset Parkinson's disease. In multivariable analysis, the number of tooth loss (≥15) was positively related to new-onset Parkinson's disease development (hazard ratio: 1.38, 95% confidence interval (1.03–1.85), p=0.029, p for trend = 0.043) after adjusting variables.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the number of tooth loss was positively correlated with a higher risk of new-onset Parkinson's disease development in a longitudinal study setting. Increased number of tooth loss may be an important risk indicator of new-onset Parkinson's disease.

Periodontal disease classifications and incident coronary heart disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease has been linked to coronary heart disease (CHD), but studies have been inconclusive. This study investigates the link between periodontal disease and incident CHD.

METHODS

Baseline periodontal data from a full-mouth periodontal exam (N = 6,300) and CHD outcomes through 2017 were obtained from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Periodontitis was defined by the Periodontal Profile Class System adapted to Stages (PPC stages) and the Centers for Disease Control/American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP) index. Competing risk models were used to determine hazard ratios (HR) for incident CHD, congestive heart failure (CHF), and other causes of death. Secondary analysis included myocardial infarction (MI) and fatal CHD.

RESULTS

Females comprised 56% of participants and males 44% with a combined mean age of 62.3 years (range: 52 to 74). Participants were followed for an average of 16.7 (SD: 5.5) years. In a fully adjusted model, PPC stage VII (Severe Tooth Loss) was moderately significantly related to incident CHD, (HR 1.51 [1.11 to 2.09]). PPC stage V (Mild Tooth Loss/High Gingival Inflammation) was significant for fatal CHD (HR, 5.27 [1.80 to 15.4]) and PPC stage VII was significant for incident MI (HR, 1.59 [1.13 to 2.23]). The CDC/AAP definition was not significantly associated with incident CHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Incident CHD was moderately significantly associated with a specific stage of periodontal disease characterized by severe tooth loss, while none of the categories of the CDC/AAP were significantly associated. Thus, while periodontal therapy may improve oral health, it may be effective at impacting CHD incidence in only certain groups of people.

Association between periodontitis and all-cause and cancer mortality: retrospective elderly community cohort study

BACKGROUND

Periodontal infection induces inflammation, which may increase the risk of tumor-promoting effects. The aim of this study was to assess the association between periodontitis and all-cause mortality, and all-cancer and specific cancers' mortality in a health examination cohort of the elderly in the communities.

METHODS

A dataset of health examinations for the elderly with cause of death from 2005 to 2012 was obtained from the Department of Health, Taipei City Government. We enrolled 82,548 study participants with 262,035 visits. A Cox proportional hazards model and Cox frailty model were used for calculating the hazard ratios under different periodontal status by using SAS and Rstudio.

RESULTS

Being male, elderly, having a low education level, and smoking were risk factors for mortality in this retrospective elderly community cohort study. Participants with periodontitis followed across time had significantly higher hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and all-cancer mortality (HR = 1.092, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.038 to 1.149, HR = 1.114, 95% CI:1.032 to 1.203, respectively) in the Cox frailty models after adjusting for age, marital status, education level, sex, and smoking status. After adjusting for age and sex, the hazard ratio was 1.185 (95% CI: 1.027 to 1.368) for lung cancer mortality, and 1.340 (95% CI: 1.019 to 1.762) for prostate cancer mortality in the periodontitis group with each visit.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that being male, having a low education level, and daily smoking were risk factors for mortality, and showed mixed evidence that periodontal disease is associated with all-cause, all-cancer and specific-cancer mortality including lung and prostate cancer. We suggest the importance of regular health screening in order to achieve early disease detection and lower mortality risk.

Masticatory Capacity and Mortality: The Preventive and Clinical Investigation Center (IPC) Cohort Study

Poor oral health (OH) has been associated with mortality, but the association between OH components and mortality remains imprecise. The present observational study aimed to investigate if there is an association between oral masticatory efficiency and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in a large French subject cohort. The study was based on a cohort of 85,830 subjects aged between 16 and 94 y at recruitment. The follow-up extended from 2001 to 2014 and the mean follow-up was 8.06 ± 2.73 y. The number of deaths totaled 1,670. Full-mouth examinations were performed. Dental plaque, dental calculus, gingival inflammation, missing teeth, and masticatory units were recorded. Masticatory units represent the number of natural or prosthetic opposing premolars and molar pairs and can be considered an accurate indicator for masticatory efficiency. Causes of death were ascertained from death certificates. Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs). In the fully adjusted model, the number of masticatory units <5 is associated with an HR of 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 1.91) for all-cause mortality, HR of 1.41 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.99) for CV mortality, HR of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.44 to 2.15) for cancer mortality, and HR of 1.85 (95% CI, 1.55 to 2.20) for non-CV and noncancer mortality. Significant statistical associations with the other oral variables were also found for all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and non-CV and noncancer mortality in the adjusted models. Our study indicates that after full adjustment, all oral parameters are associated with all-cause, cancer, and non-CV and noncancer mortality. However, the low number of masticatory units is associated with an increased risk of CV mortality. We highlight the association of masticatory units and CV mortality.

Oral health of high-cost patients and evaluation of oral health measures as predictors for high-cost patients in South Korea: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the oral health conditions and oral health behaviour of high-cost patients and evaluate oral health measures as predictors of future high-cost patients.

DESIGN

A retrospective, population-based cohort study using administrative healthcare records.

SETTING

The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) medical check-up database (a.k.a. NHIS-national health screening cohort database) in South Korea.

PARTICIPANTS

131 549 individuals who received biennial health check-ups including dental check-ups in 2011 or 2012, aged 49-88.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Current and subsequent year high-cost patient status.

RESULTS

High-cost patients, on average, incur higher dental costs, suffer more from periodontal disease, brush their teeth less and use secondary oral hygiene products less. Some of the self-reported oral health behaviours and oral symptom variables show statistically significant associations with subsequent year high-cost patient indicators, even after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, medical conditions, and prior healthcare cost and utilisation.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that oral health measures are associated with an increased risk of becoming a high-cost patient.

Number of Teeth and All-Cause and Cancer Mortality in a Japanese Community: The Takayama Study

BACKGROUND

The association between the number of teeth and mortality among community-dwelling people has been examined in many epidemiological studies. However, few Japanese studies have included cancer mortality as an endpoint. We prospectively investigated the association between number of remaining teeth and all-cause and cancer mortality in a Japanese community.

METHODS

This study included participants in the Takayama Study who were aged 35-70 years old at baseline in 1992. Information on the number of remaining teeth was obtained from 11,273 participants via questionnaire at the second survey in 2002. The response rate was 66.9%. Deaths and their causes were ascertained during 11.8 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 1,098 deaths (435 cancer-related and 235 cardiovascular-related) were identified during the follow-up period. After adjusting for covariates, participants with 0 to 9 teeth were at moderate but significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.39) and cancer mortality (HR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.67) compared to those with 20 or more teeth. With regard to cancer site, a significant association was observed for lung cancer (HR for 0-9 teeth vs. 20 or more teeth, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.08-2.83). This association was somewhat strengthened among never-smokers (HR 3.56; 95% CI, 1.02-12.45).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that a lower number of remaining teeth was significantly associated with increased risk from all-cause and lung cancer mortality. Further studies on the number of teeth and lung and other types of cancer are needed.

Dental Infection and Resistance-Global Health Consequences

Antibiotics are widely used in dental caries and another dental related issues, both for therapeutic and prophylactic reasons. Unfortunately, in recent years the use of antibiotics has been accompanied by the rapid emergence antimicrobial resistance. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are historically known as the top oral health burden in both developing and developed nations affecting around 20⁻50% of the population of this planet and the uppermost reason for tooth loss. Dental surgeons and family practitioners frequently prescribed antimicrobials for their patients as outpatient care. Several studies reported that antibiotics are often irrationally- and overprescribed in dental diseases which is the basis of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this review is to evaluate the use of antibiotics in dental diseases. Almost certainly the promotion of primary oral health care (POHC) in primary health care program especially among the least and middle-income countries (LMIC) may be the answer to ensure and promote rational dental care.

Dental Status is Associated With Incident Functional Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese: A Prospective Cohort Study Using Propensity Score Matching

Background

A growing number of epidemiology studies have shown that poor oral health is associated with an increased incidence of functional disability. However, there are few studies in which the confounding bias is adjusted appropriately. In this study, we examined whether dental status is associated with functional disability in elderly Japanese using a 13-year prospective cohort study after elimination of confounding factors with propensity score matching.

Methods

Participants were community-dwelling Japanese aged 70 years or older who lived in the Tsurugaya district of Sendai (n = 838). The number of remaining teeth (over 20 teeth vs 0–19 teeth) was defined as the exposure variable. The outcome was the incidence of functional disability, defined as the first certification of long-term care insurance (LTCI) in Japan. The variables that were used to determine propensity score matching were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), medical history (stroke, hypertension, myocardial infarction, cancer, and diabetes), smoking, alcohol consumption, educational attainment, depression symptoms, cognitive impairment, physical function, social support, and marital status.

Results

As a result of the propensity score matching, 574 participants were selected. Participants with 0–19 teeth were more likely to develop functional disability than those with 20 or more teeth (hazard ratio 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.75).

Conclusions

In this prospective cohort study targeting community-dwelling older adults in Japan, having less than 20 teeth was confirmed to be an independent risk factor for functional disability even after conducting propensity score matching. This study supports previous publications showing that oral health is associated with functional disability.

Calculus and survivorship in medieval London: The association between dental disease and a demographic measure of general health

OBJECTIVES

Dental plaque is associated with a variety of systemic diseases and mortality risks in living populations. However, bioarchaeologists have not fully investigated the mortality risks associated with plaque (or its mineralized form, calculus) in the past. This study examines the relationship between survivorship and calculus in a medieval skeletal sample.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our sample (n = 1,098) from four medieval London cemeteries, c. 1000-1540 CE, includes people who died under attritional (normal) and catastrophic (famine and plague) conditions. The associations between age and the presence of dental calculus on the permanent left first mandibular molar are assessed using binary logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

The regression results indicate a significant negative relationship between age and calculus presence for individuals of all ages who died under normal mortality conditions and for adults who died under both normal and catastrophic conditions. Survival analysis reveals decreased survivorship for people of all ages with calculus under normal mortality conditions. Similarly, during conditions of catastrophic mortality, adult males with calculus suffered reduced survivorship compared to males without it, though there was no difference in survivorship between adult females with and without calculus.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that, as in modern populations, calculus accumulation in the inhabitants of medieval London reflects a greater risk of premature death. The evaluation of calculus, a potential measure of underlying frailty, in the context of a demographic measure of general health suggests that it might provide insights into health in past populations.

The Mediating Role of Health Consciousness in the Relation Between Emotional Intelligence and Health Behaviors

The goals of this study were to identify groups of health-related behaviors among young adults (N = 314, Mage = 21.94, SD = 6.53), gauge the relation between emotional intelligence and health behaviors in this population, and assess health consciousness as mediator of said relation. Latent class analysis identified two mutually exclusive health behavior groups, which according to response patterns were labeled as Healthy and Unhealthy. The Healthy group (56%) was composed of individuals who had a healthy diet (i.e., low fat and high fiber), exercised regularly, and who frequently engaged in behaviors that prevent oral and skin-related diseases. In contrast, the Unhealthy group (44%) rarely engaged in these health-promoting behaviors. Using structural equation modeling we found a negative relation between emotional intelligence and unhealthy behaviors relative to health-promoting ones. Mediation analyses indicated that the mechanism explaining said relation was through increments in health consciousness, with large standardized indirect effects ranging between -0.52 and -0.78. As health behaviors during early adulthood are salient predictors of health outcomes in old age, the results have clear implications for the inclusion of emotional intelligence training in programs seeking to raise health awareness and cultivate health promoting behaviors in young adults, in so much as to seek to reduce the risk of chronic ailments later in life.

Poor oral health affects survival in head and neck cancer

INTRODUCTION

Poor oral health has emerged as a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) but its impact on survival has not been examined. We sought to estimate the impact of oral health indicators on survival in a population-based HNSCC cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cases (n=1381) and age-, sex- and race-matched controls (n=1396) were participants in the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiologic Study (CHANCE). Vital status was determined via linkage with the National Death Index. Survival was considered at 5years post-diagnosis or study-enrollment for controls. Oral health was assessed using self-reported indicators including frequency of routine dental exams and tooth brushing. We used Kaplan-Meyer analyses and Cox regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Routine dental visits during the preceding 10years were associated with decreased mortality risk (>10 visits: HR=0.6, 95% CI=0.4-0.8) after adjusting for confounders. This effect was most pronounced for oral cavity cancer-(e.g., >10 visits: HR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.9). Dental visits were also positively associated with survival among controls. No other routine health screening (e.g., eye exams) was associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

We found significant associations between markers of oral health and survival among both HNSCC cases and controls. This association was most pronounced for sites closer to the dentition. Oral health may have a direct effect on tumor biology due to the associated immune or inflammatory response. It may also represent a proxy for wellness or unmeasured social determinants of health.

Streptococcus sanguinis biofilm formation & interaction with oral pathogens

Caries and periodontitis are the two most common human dental diseases and are caused by dysbiosis of oral flora. Although commensal microorganisms have been demonstrated to protect against pathogens and promote oral health, most previous studies have addressed pathogenesis rather than commensalism. Streptococcus sanguinis is a commensal bacterium that is abundant in the oral biofilm and whose presence is correlated with health. Here, we focus on the mechanism of biofilm formation in S. sanguinis and the interaction of S. sanguinis with caries- and periodontitis-associated pathogens. In addition, since S. sanguinis is well known as a cause of infective endocarditis, we discuss the relationship between S. sanguinis biofilm formation and its pathogenicity in endocarditis.

Is compromised oral health associated with a greater risk of mortality among nursing home residents? A controlled clinical study

AIM

The objective of this controlled clinical study was to evaluate the association between oral health and 1-year mortality among nursing home residents with or without oral health intervention.

METHODS

This research was part of a multidisciplinary intervention study (EVI-P) performed in 14 nursing homes in Germany. Two-hundred and nineteen nursing home residents were included in the study and assigned to an intervention group, for which dental health education was offered and ultrasonic baths were used for denture cleaning (n = 144), or to a control group (n = 75). Before the intervention, each participant was examined, and dental status, plaque control record (PCR), Denture Hygiene Index, and results from the Revised Oral Assessment Guide were recorded. Amount of care needed and dementia were also assessed, by use of the Barthel Index and the Mini Mental State Examination, respectively. Participant mortality was determined after 12 months, and bivariate analysis and logistic regression models were used to evaluate possible factors affecting mortality.

RESULTS

Bivariate analysis detected a direct association between greater mortality and being in the control group (p = .038). Participants with higher PCR were also more likely to die during the study period (p = .049). For dentate participants, the protective effect of being in the intervention group was confirmed by multivariate analysis in which covariates such as age and gender were considered.

CONCLUSION

Oral hygiene and oral health seem to affect the risk of mortality of nursing home residents. Dental intervention programs seem to reduce the risk of 1-year mortality among nursing home residents having remaining natural teeth. Further studies, with larger sample sizes and evaluation of the causes of death, are necessary to investigate the reasons for these associations.

Association between individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic factors and masticatory efficiency: a cross-sectional analysis of the Paris Prospective Study 3

Background

There is a lack of evidence on the impact of socioeconomic factors on masticatory efficiency. The present study investigates the relationship between individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic factors (main exposure) and the number of masticatory units (MUs) used as surrogate of the masticatory efficiency (main outcome).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study nested in the Paris Prospective Study 3, 4270 adults aged 50–75 and recruited from 13 June 2008 to 31 May 2012 underwent a full-mouth examination. Number of MUs defined as pairs of opposing teeth or dental prostheses allowing mastication, number of missing teeth and gingival inflammation were documented. The individual component of the socioeconomic status was evaluated with an individual multidimensional deprivation score and education level. The neighbourhood component of the socioeconomic status was evaluated with the FDep99 deprivation index. Associations were quantified using marginal models.

Results

In multivariate analyses, having less than 5 MUs was associated with (1) the most deprived neighbourhoods (OR=2.27 (95% CI 1.63 to 3.17)), (2) less than 12 years of educational attainment (OR=2.20 (95% CI 1.66 to 2.92)) and (3) the highest individual score of deprivation (OR=3.23 (95% CI 2.24 to 4.65)). Associations with education and individual score of deprivation were consistent across the level of neighbourhood deprivation. Comparable associations were observed with the number of missing teeth. Associations with gingival inflammation were of lower magnitude; the relationship was present for deprivation markers but not for education.

Conclusion

Poor masticatory efficiency is associated with low educational attainment and high deprivation scores.