Risk factors for tooth loss in adults: A population-based prospective cohort study

Estimated economic costs of dental implants among older South Korean adults, 2015-2018

OBJECTIVE

Dental implants are a considerable financial burden for elderly people and their caregivers. This study aimed to calculate the estimated economic costs of dental implants on the Korean older population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The economic costs of dental implants for adults aged 75 years and older were estimated from a societal perspective, considering both direct and indirect expenditures. We used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service for the period 2015-2018 to estimate the medical costs. Noninsured medical costs were estimated from research on medical expenses by the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Indirect costs related to transportation fees and time loss were obtained. The Cochran Armitage trend test was performed to examine the trend of the economic burden of dental implants.

RESULTS

The estimated economic costs showed from 2015 to 2018 (total costs: $26.54-55.66 million, total costs after discount: $17.11-39.56 million). Direct costs, including insured and noninsured medical costs, represented from $25.81 to $47.03 million. Indirect costs, including transportation and time costs, ranged from $0.73 to $1.63 million. The impact of the total dental implant costs was 0.0018%-0.0034% of the Korean annual gross domestic product and 1.03%-1.59% of the annual total costs of dental care benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

The estimated economic burden of dental implants significantly increased from 2015 to 2018 in older South Korean adults. These results will provide a foundation and guidance for further health economic studies on the burden of dental implants in the elderly population.

Association of tooth loss and nutritional status in adults: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Association of tooth loss and nutritional status has been widely researched with conflicting results. This overview aimed to analyse and summarize findings from systematic reviews on association of tooth loss with nutritional status, in view of their quality assessment and methodological characteristics.

METHODS

Overview was conducted as per Cochrane Overviews of Reviews guidelines. 5 databases (PubMed, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Scopus, Cochrane Register of Systematic Reviews, Epistemonikos.org) and one online source (Google Scholar) were searched for systematic reviews published between 2010 - July 2022, with inclusion criteria; population: participants aged 18 years or above, intervention/exposure: loss of teeth, comparison: not applicable, outcome: nutritional status, study: systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Reviews on association of prosthetic interventions with nutritional status were not included. Data were extracted for study characteristics, details of primary studies, and main findings. Narrative synthesis of data, overlap of primary studies and quality assessment of studies were done using AMSTAR 2 tool (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews).

RESULT

Of 1525 articles found, seven systematic reviews were selected (four were systematic reviews, three were systematic reviews with meta-analysis). Five studies showed some or positive association, one found weak association and for one study the association was unclear. Overlap of primary studies was 'very slight'. Meta-analysis of two studies concluded fully or partially edentulous individuals were more likely to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, (RR = 1.095, 95% CI 1.007 to 1.190, p = 0.033. RR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.32 p < 0.01), but one found that edentulism was not associated with malnutrition. (RR = 1.072, 95% CI 0.9657-1.200). Quality assessment revealed four studies were 'high', one was 'low' and two were 'critically low.'

CONCLUSION

This overview confirms the association between tooth loss and nutritional status specially in elderly. It is evident that tooth loss increases the likelihood of poor nutritional status. Overall, studies show high heterogeneity in the methodology and quality assessment reveals low confidence in the available evidence. Future studies should use standard assessment tools for tooth loss and nutritional status.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to tooth loss and dentures among patients with dental arch deficiencies

BACKGROUND

Tooth loss is a common problem that affects many people worldwide. Exploring knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among patients can identify barriers and challenges in following recommended practices, providing valuable insights for dental healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers. This study aimed to explore the KAP of patients with dental arch deficiencies regarding tooth loss and dentures.

METHODS

This web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with dental arch deficiencies using a self-designed questionnaire.

RESULT

3166 valid questionnaires were included. Participants' mean KAP scores were 6.84 ± 2.27 (possible range: 0 ~ 12), 39.4 ± 3.72 (possible range: 9 ~ 45), and 27.7 ± 4.36 (possible range: 8 ~ 40), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that knowledge (OR = 1.383), employed (OR = 1.805), family history (OR = 2.158), and treatment (OR = 1.683) were independently associated with attitude. Moreover, knowledge (OR = 1.239), attitude (OR = 1.250), female (OR = 0.619), age (OR = 0.967), college/bachelor (OR = 0.373), and master and above degree (OR = 0.418), employed (OR = 0.554) or student (OR = 0.434), with 10,001-20,000 Yuan household income per month (OR = 0.492), have been married (OR = 0.609), smoking (OR = 0.595), drinking (OR = 0.397), disease duration (OR = 0.972), with family history (OR = 1.676), and with treatment (OR = 3.492) were independently associated with practice (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with dental arch deficiencies have insufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and moderate practice toward tooth loss and dentures, which might be affected by multiple demographic factors.

Trend in the Incidence of Severe Partial Edentulism among Adults Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service Claim Data, 2014-2018

PURPOSE

Missing teeth is one of the most important indicators of oral health behavior and the result of dental caries, periodontal disease, and injuries. This study examined a trend in the incidence of severe partial edentulism (SPE) using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of adults aged ≥20 years were obtained from the KNHIS for the 2014-2018 period. SPE was defined in dental information within a population with a treatment history of dental scaling as having 1 to 8 natural teeth. Crude incidence rates (CIRs) and age-standardized incidence rates (AIRs) with 95% confidence interval were calculated per 100000 persons. The Cochran Armitage trend (CAT) test and average annual percentage change were used to analyze SPE trends.

RESULTS

The CIRs among Korean adults were from 346.29 to 391.11 in 2014-2016 and from 391.11 to 354.09 in 2016-2018. The AIRs trend statistically increased by 4.31% from 346.29 to 376.80 and decreased by 4.72% from 376.80 to 342.10. The AIRs in men increased by 4.00% and decreased by 3.01%. The AIRs in women decreased by 2.18% and increased by 2.11% (CAT; p<0.01). The AIRs by region and income also showed trends of increase and decrease.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that the incidence trend of SPE increased and decreased from 2014 to 2018. This result would be able to aid in the planning of public oral health, and may also serve as fundamental data for verifying the impact of the public oral health policies implemented.

Systematic review of longitudinal studies on the association between cluster of health-related behaviors and tooth loss among adults

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review longitudinal studies on the association between cluster of/multiple health-related behaviors and tooth loss among adults.  Materials and methods: Inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective longitudinal studies; adults; multiple or cluster of behaviors; tooth loss, one or more tooth lost and complete tooth loss. Exclusion criteria were intervention studies; cross-sectional studies; case-control studies; children under 18 years-old; single behavior. Two reviewers searched three databases up to April 2023. Open Grey and Google Scholar were searched for grey literature.  Results: Twelve longitudinal studies were included in this review. Nine studies had good quality, two had poor quality, and one had fair quality according to New-Castle-Ottawa Scale. According to ROBINS-E tool, nine studies were judged as moderate risk of bias while two studies were at low risk of bias and one study had serious risk of bias. One study assessed cluster of behavior, while others examined a number of separate health-related behaviors in relation to tooth loss. Meta-analysis was not feasible because of the high heterogeneity in exposure, measure of outcomes, covariates, sample size, and follow-up time. The research found an association between tooth loss and oral hygiene practices (two studies), dental attendance (four studies), smoking (six studies), and alcohol consumption (three studies).  Conclusion: This review provides evidence of a longitudinal association between cluster of/multiple health related-behaviors and tooth loss.

Biomechanical performance of resin composite on dental tissue restoration: A finite element analysis

This study investigates the biomechanical performance of various dental materials when filled in different cavity designs and their effects on surrounding dental tissues. Finite element models of three infected teeth with different cavity designs, Class I (occlusal), Class II mesial-occlusal (MO), and Class II mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) were constructed. These cavities were filled with amalgam, composites (Young's moduli of 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 GPa), and glass carbomer cement (GCC). An occlusal load of 600 N was distributed on the top surface of the teeth to carry out simulations. The findings revealed that von Mises stress was higher in GCC material, with cavity Class I (46.01 MPa in the enamel, 23.61 MPa in the dentin), and for cavity Class II MO von Mises stress was 43.64 MPa, 39.18 MPa in enamel and dentin respectively, while in case of cavity Class II MOD von Mises stress was 44.67 MPa in enamel, 27.5 in the dentin. The results showed that higher stresses were generated in the non-restored tooth compared to the restored one, and increasing Young's modulus of restorative composite material decreases stresses in enamel and dentin. The use of composite material showed excellent performance which can be a good viable option for restorative material compared to other restorative materials.

Association between age people started working and missing teeth in an elderly population in Ecuador: Evidence from a cross-sectional study

Child labor has significant physical, psychological, and social consequences, which can persist into adulthood. This study investigates the association between the age at which an individual begins working and tooth loss in older adults in Ecuador. We analyzed data from the SABE 2009 survey (Survey of Health, Well-being, and Aging), using binary logistic regression to examine potential relationships. Our analytical sample comprised of 3,899 older adults from mainland Ecuador, with 42.50% having started working between the ages of 5 and 12. Unadjusted logistic regression results indicated that older adults who began working at ages 5-12 had a 42% higher risk of missing more than 4 teeth compared to those who started working at ages 18-25. After adjusting for potential confounders, the resulting risk was 28% higher than for the reference group [OR 1.28 95% CI 1.25-1.30]. Our findings demonstrate that early engagement in labor is a risk factor for tooth loss among older adults, displaying the long-term impacts of child labor on oral health. Health education and benefits should be provided to this vulnerable population for tooth loss prevention.

Applying a systems oriented ethical decision making framework to mitigating social and structural determinants of health

Objectives

Clinical ethical decision-making models are largely geared toward individual clinician choices and individual patient outcomes, not necessarily accounting for larger systemic issues that affect optimal patient outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an ethical decision-making model, drawing upon systems orientation and ethical theory, specifically incorporating and aiding in the mitigation of social and structural determinants of health.

Methods

This paper presents a systems-oriented ethical decision-making framework derived from the analysis and critique of the Four-Box Method for Ethical Decision-Making by Jonsen, Siegler, and Winslade. Drawing upon both deontological and utilitarian ethical theory, the developed framework will assist providers, organizations, and health system leaders in navigating the increasingly complex ethical dimensions of care delivery for underserved patient populations, who are largely impacted by social and structural determinants of health.

Results

The needs of underserved patients are inextricably linked to various social and structural determinants of health that, if left unaddressed, result in even poorer health outcomes, exacerbating existing health disparities. A systems-oriented ethical decision-making framework, centered on obligation, duty, and a utilitarian view of the optimal good, will aid providers, organizations, health system leaders, and community stakeholders in navigating the increasingly complex ethical dimensions of care delivery for underserved patient populations.

Conclusion

Socioeconomic and political contexts have a significant impact on the way society is organized, how people are positioned in society, and how they will fare in terms of their health. Healthcare providers, including dentists, are largely unaware of and insensitive to the social issues that underlie the biological or psychological concerns that patients from socially disadvantaged backgrounds face. A systems-oriented ethical decision-making model will aid in mitigating social and structural determinants of health and the dental profession's obligations to the underserved.

Associations between physical activity domains and oral health: an analysis of a Brazilian population-based study

Physical activity comprises four domains (leisure, transportation, domestic, and work activities) that may be differently associated with oral health. The aim of this study was to assess the association between each physical activity domain and oral health conditions in Brazilian adults. A total of 38,539 participants in the 2019 Brazilian Health Survey aged 30 years or older were analyzed. The outcomes were self-perceived oral health (dichotomous) and self-reported number of missing teeth (counts). The presence, frequency, and time of activity in each domain and their combination were analyzed as main exposures. Odds ratios (OR) and mean ratios (MR) were estimated by fitting multivariable models. Higher leisure time physical activity was the only domain associated with better self-perception of oral health (OR = 1.32; 95%CI 1.26-1.38) and lower tooth loss (MR=0.88; 95%CI 0.86-0.90). Higher levels of work, transportation, and household activities were significantly associated with worse self-perception of oral health, while higher levels of work- and transportation-related physical activities were also associated with greater tooth loss. When the total recommended weekly physical activity time was analyzed, no significant associations were found. Sensitivity analysis suggested that this pattern persists in potential periodontitis-related cases, such as when selecting older age or excluding individuals with no tooth loss. In conclusion, leisure physical activity was the only domain with the potential of reflecting the benefits of physical activity on oral health. The inclusion of other domains can confound this association.

Tooth Loss and Associated Factors in Mexican Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

The objective of this study was to determine the experience of tooth loss and associated factors in older adults and elderly residing in nursing homes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexican older adults and elderly aged ≥60 years living in four nursing homes (two in Mexico City, Mexico: one in Cuernavaca, Morelos, and one in Oaxaca, Oaxaca). The data were collected at the facility (home nursing) by two dentists in 2019. To determine the number of tooth loss and DMFT, a clinical oral examination was performed. In addition, a questionnaire was applied to determine diverse independent variables (demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral). The analysis was performed using nonparametric tests and negative binomial regression (p < 0.05). 257 subjects were included. The mean age was 81.25 ± 9.02 years, and 60.7% were women. The mean number of lost teeth was 18.78 ± 9.05 (women = 19.43 ± 8.59 and men = 17.77 ± 9.68; p > 0.05). In the multivariate negative binomial regression model, it was found that, for each one-year increase in age, the mean tooth loss increased 0.92% (p < 0.05). In current smokers (p < 0.01) and in those who brush their teeth < 2 times a day (p < 0.01), the average of tooth loss increased 22.04% and 61.46%, respectively. The experience of tooth loss in Mexican older adults and elderly was high. Demographic (age) and habit of behavior (tobacco use and less frequent tooth brushing) were associated with increased tooth loss. It is important to promote oral health programs for institutionalized older adults.

Contextual and individual factors associated with self-reported tooth loss among adults and elderly residents in rural riverside areas: A cross-sectional household-based survey

BACKGROUND

Tooth loss is an oral health condition with high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life. It is the result of the history of oral diseases and their treatment as well as provision of dental care and access to dental services. Socioeconomic characteristics are determinants of tooth loss and living in rural areas is also a risk factor for its incidence.

OBJECTIVE

To identify contextual and individual factors associated with self-reported tooth loss among adults and elderly people living in rural riverside areas.

METHODS

A cross-sectional household-based survey was conducted in 2019 with rural riverside communities on the left bank of the Rio Negro River, Manaus, Amazonas. These communities are covered by a fluvial health team and two riverside health teams. Interviews were conducted in a representative random sample of dwellers aged ≥ 18 years, using electronic forms to obtain information on oral health conditions, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and use of and access to health services. The outcome was self-reported tooth loss. After the descriptive analysis of the data, a multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence ratio for the outcome. Variables with p-value ≤0.20 in the bivariate analyses were included in the multiple analysis considering the hierarchy between individual and contextual variables in the multilevel model. Variables with p-value ≤0.10 were kept in the final model and the significance level adopted was 0.05.

RESULTS

603 individuals from 357 households were assessed (mean age 44.1 years). The average number of missing teeth was 11.2 (±11.6); 27.4% of individuals had lost more than 20 teeth (non-functional dentition) and 12.1% were completely edentulous. Contextual characteristic of primary healthcare offered was associated with the outcome. The tooth loss was lower in territories covered by riverside health teams. At individual level, tooth loss was greater in older individuals who had experienced dental pain over the past six months and whose sugar consumption was high. Black or brown individuals, individuals whose household income was higher, those who were on the Bolsa Família cash transfer program, those who consulted a dentist over the past year, and those who reported satisfaction with their teeth/oral health reported less tooth loss.

CONCLUSION

Tooth loss was associated with contextual territorial factors related to the healthcare service and individual demographic, behavioral, socioeconomic, and service-related characteristics as well as self-perceived oral health conditions. The findings suggest that actions focused on the oral health of these populations involve not only changes in the healthcare service organization, but also intersectoral policies that contribute to reducing social inequalities.

Profiles of sugar fermenting bacteria of the oral cavity among children with dental caries attending stomatology services at Ruhengeri referral hospital in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

BACKGROUND

Dental caries remains a public health threat of concern among children. About 2.3 billion people are affected by dental caries, of which 530 million are children globally.

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to identify sugar fermenting bacteria in the oral cavity and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, assess the association with sugar fermenter bacteria and dental caries and evaluate dental caries outcomes among children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital. About 136 oral swab samples were collected from children with and without dental caries at 1:1 ratio. The samples were put in Stuart sterile container and transported to INES-clinical microbiology laboratory for microbial identification. Logistic regression analysis of demographic characteristics was performed to study the relationship between demographic variables and dental caries. Chi-square test was performed for the association between variables.

RESULTS

About 67.6% were male, while children of age 7-9 years (64.7%) dominated the age groups. Lactobacilli spp (15.29%) and Streptococcus mutans (12.94%) were the most predominant microorganisms observed in the oral cavity among children with dental caries. The S. mutans (x² = 27.03, P < 0.00001, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.2901-0.5785), S. aureus (x² = 34.59, P < 0.00001, 95% CI = 0.3541-0.6292), Enterobacter aerogenes (x² = 13.5, P = 0.000239, 95% CI = 0.151-0.4622), Serratia marcescens (x² = 11.64, P = 0.00645, 95% CI = 0.1275-0.4418) and Klebsiella pneumonia (x² = 13.51, P = 0.000237, 95% CI = 0.1511-0.4623) were significantly associated with dental caries. Teeth loss (x² = 51.04, P < 0.00001, 95% CI = 0.4757-0.7205), teeth pain (x² = 5.05, P = 0.0246, 95% CI = 0.0249-0.33499), and infection (x² = 4.73, P = 0.02964, 95% CI = 0.0186-0.3441) were dental outcomes associated with tooth decay. Ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and amoxicillin were the most sensitive antibiotics, while vancomycin and chloramphenicol were the most resistant.

CONCLUSION

Sugar consumption favours the growth of sugar fermenter bacteria that cause dental caries among children. Dental caries is associated with adverse oral health outcomes among children. Oral health education is recommended for children. Parents are advised to reduce the consumption of sugary food for their children for oral health safety.

Factors Associated with Tooth Loss in General Population of Bialystok, Poland

Background: The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for tooth loss in the population of the city of Bialystok, in north-eastern Poland, taking into account the entire population and different age groups. The study included 1138 subjects divided into three subgroups: 20–44 years, 45–64 years, and 65–79 years. Participants were classified according to the number of teeth lost (0–8 vs. 9–28). Socio-economic variables, smoking history, and dental habits were collected through a questionnaire. Medical examinations provided data on the body mass index and the fasting blood glucose level. Data were statistically analysed using Mann-Whitney U, Student’s t, chi² tests, and binary logistic regression, p < 0.05. Results: For the general population, being female (OR 1.38, 1.07–1.79, p = 0.015), having secondary education (OR 4.18, Cl 2.97–5.87, p < 0.000), higher body mass index (OR 1.13, Cl 1.10–1.17, p < 0.000), higher fasting blood glucose level (OR 1.03 1.03–1.04, p < 0.000), being former smoker (OR 1.72, Cl 1.29–2.31, p < 0.000), ever smoker (OR 1.69, Cl 1.29–2.20, p < 0.000), current smoker (OR 1.62, Cl 1.15–2.29, p < 0.006), longer smoking period (OR 1.11, Cl 1.09–1.14, p < 0.000), last visit to the dentist over a year ago (OR 1.92, Cl 0.44–2.58, p < 0.000) and tooth brushing less than two times a day (OR 1.6, Cl 1.14–2.23, p < 0.006) were associated with losing more than 8 teeth. In the subgroup aged 20–44 years, only smoking duration was a risk factor for tooth loss (p = 0.02). For the middle-aged and oldest groups, education level (respectively p < 0.001, and p = 0.001), body mass index (respectively, p < 0.001, and p = 0.037), smoking status ever/former/current (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.002), smoking status never/ever (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.009), smoking duration (p < 0.001) were related to tooth loss. Additionally, in the elderly group, fasting blood glucose level (p = 0.044) and frequency of dental visits (p = 0.007) were related to tooth loss. We concluded that in the evaluated population, tooth loss was associated with socio-demographic, medical, and behavioural factors.

Prevalence and determinants of oral health conditions and treatment needs among slum and non-slum urban residents: Evidence from Nigeria

Oral diseases constitute a neglected epidemic in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). An understanding of its distribution and severity in different settings can aid the planning of preventive and therapeutic services. This study assessed the oral health conditions, risk factors, and treatment needs among adult residents in the slum and compared findings with non-slum urban residents in Ibadan, Nigeria. The Multistage sampling was used to select adult (≥18-years) residents from a slum and a non-slum urban sites. Information sought from participants included dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, and the use of dental services. Oral examinations were performed in line with WHO guidelines. Associations were examined using logistic regression. Mediation analysis was undertaken using generalized structural equation modeling. The sample comprised 678 slum and 679 non-slum residents. Median age in slum vs non-slum was 45 (IQR:32-50) versus 38 (IQR:29-50) years. Male: female ratio was 1:2 in both sites. Prevalence of oral diseases (slum vs non-slum sites): dental caries (27% vs 23%), gingival bleeding (75% vs 53%) and periodontal pocket (23% vs 16%). The odds of having dental caries were 21% higher for the slum dwellers compared to non-slum residents (OR = 1.21, 95% CI:0.94 to 1.56); and 50% higher for periodontal pocket (OR = 1.50, 95%CI: 1.13 to 1.98), after adjusting for age and sex. There was little evidence that tooth cleaning frequency mediated the relationship between place of residence and caries (OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.87 to 1.03 [indirect effect], 38% mediated) or periodontal pocket (OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.86 to 1.04, 15% mediated). Thirty-five percent and 27% of residents in the slum and non-slum sites respectively required the "prompt and urgent" levels of treatment need. Oral diseases prevalence in both settings are high and the prevalence was generally higher in the slum with correspondingly higher levels of prompt and urgent treatment needs. Participants may benefit from targeted therapeutic and health promotion intervention services.

The role of health literacy as a factor associated with tooth loss

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to analyze the role of health literacy (HL) as a factor associated with tooth loss among users of the Brazilian Health System with chronic non-communicable diseases.

METHODS

The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with adult and elderly users chosen at ten Family Health Clinics in a draw in the town of Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. A questionnaire was applied with sociodemographic data (sex, age, skin color and education), behavioral data (brushing and flossing), determinants in health (type of dental health services and how often) and clinical data (pain). Mouth conditions were collected by intraoral examination of visible dental biofilm and community Pediodontal Index. The systemic clinical conditions (blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and blood pressure) were extracted from the medical records. The explanatory variable was HL (low, medium and high), measured with the Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14).

RESULTS

The outcome was tooth loss measured by the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth. Logistic regression was performed using a conceptual model for HL (p < 0.05). For the 238 subjects, the mean age was 62.7 years (± 10.55). Tooth loss was associated with HL in regression models adjusted by type of dental service, dental frequency, and dental floss. In the final model, the factors associated with tooth loss are older age (OR = 1,12; 95%CI: 1,07-1,17), a lower education (OR = 3,43; 95%CI: 1,17-10,10), irregular use of dental floss (OR = 4,58; 95%CI: 1.75 in-7,31), irregular use of dental services (n = 2,60; 95% 1,32-5,12), periodontal pocket (> 4 mm) (n = 0,31; 95%CI: 0,01-0,08), having visible dental biofilm (OR = 7,23; 95%CI: 3,19-16,41) and a higher level of blood sugar (glucose) (n = 1,98; 95%CI: 1.00-3,92).

CONCLUSIONS

tooth loss was associated with HL when adjusted by health behaviors; when sociodemographic variables and clinical conditions were included, it was less significant. In the final model, behaviors, determinants in health and clinical conditions were risk indicators of tooth loss, showing the multifactorial nature of this phenomenon.

Association between teeth loss and nasogastric tube feeding dependency in older adults from Taiwan: a retrospective cohort study

Background

To examine the association between teeth loss and nasogastric tube feeding dependency in older people.

Methods

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2005, 2009, and 2013 in Taiwan. Participants were selected by a multistage stratified sampling method and baseline characteristics, including socioeconomic status and health habits, were obtained by well-trained interviewers. The NHIS was linked with the National Health Insurance research database 2000–2016 and the National Deaths Dataset, which contains all the medical information of ambulatory and inpatient care. Cox regression was used to examine the association between the number of teeth lost and nasogastric tube feeding dependency.

Results

There were 6165 adults older than 65 years old enrolled in the analysis, with 2959 male (48%) and the mean (SD) age was 73.95(6.46) years old. The mean follow-up duration was 6.5(3.3) years. Regarding the teeth loss categories, 1660 (26.93%), 2123 (34.44%), and 2382 (38.64%) of participants were categorized as having no teeth loss, loss of 1–9 teeth, and loss of 10–28 teeth, respectively. During 39,962 person-years of follow-up, new-onset nasogastric feeding dependency was recognized in 220(13.25%), 256(12.06%), and 461(19.35%) participants who were categorized as having no teeth loss, loss of 1–9 teeth, and loss of 10–28 teeth, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated significant findings (Log-rank P < 0.01). After potential confounders were adjusted, compared with those without teeth loss, older adults who had lost 10–28 teeth had significantly increased risks of occurrence nasogastric feeding dependency (AHR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05–1.62; p-value = 0.02). Furthermore, a significant dose-response relation between the number of teeth lost and increased risk of nasogastric feeding was found (p for trend< 0.01).

Conclusions

Older adults who had lost 10–28 teeth had a significantly increased risk of nasogastric tube feeding dependency. Early identification of the oral disease is crucial for the prevention of the occurrence of teeth loss and the following nutrition problems, which would reduce risk of nasogastric tube feeding dependency.

Evaluation of Oral Health Status Based on DMF Index in Adults Aged 40-70 Years: Findings from Persian Kharameh Cohort Study in Iran

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Oral health is one of the most important public health problems. The DMF index is used to assess oral health status.

PURPOSE

This study was performed to evaluate oral health status based on DMF index in adults in Fars province.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This cross-sectional study was performed on 8911 people aged 40 to 70 years under the Kharameh cohort study in 2020. Demographic and oral health factors were collected during interviews and clinical evaluation. T test, ANOVA, and linear regression tests were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation of DMF index was 18.06±8.7in all individuals under study. Multiple linear regression results showed that diabetes (OR=1.1 95%CI: 0.9-1.9 p= 0.0001), smoking (OR=4.4 95%CI: 4-4.9 p= 0.0001) and underweight (OR=2.1 95%CI: 1.1-3.1 p= 0.0001) are the factors affecting the increase in DMF index. Other factors such as high level of education, economic and social class, flossing, and living in a village have been inversely related to the DMF index.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study are a warning about the importance of reducing dental costs to increase the level of access of people with low economic and social levels and increase health literacy in relation to oral health.

Risk factors for tooth loss with a mean follow-up period of 13.9 years in supportive periodontal therapy patients

Background

Clinical evidence indicates that there are various risk factors of tooth loss. However, the degree of this risk among other risk factors remains unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, the authors evaluated the hazard ratios of several risk factors for tooth loss.

Methods

Included patients had all been treated for dental disorders, were in the supportive phase of periodontal therapy by dental hygienists, and visited a Japanese dental office continually during a 10-year period. Periodontal parameters, tooth condition, and general status of all teeth (excluding third molars) at the initial visit and at least 10 years later were evaluated by using multiple classification analysis.

Results

The authors evaluated a total of 7584 teeth in 297 patients (average age: 45.3, mean follow-up time: 13.9 years) Non-vital pulp was the most significant predictor of tooth loss according to Cox hazards regression analysis (hazard ratio: 3.31). The 10-year survival rate was approximately 90% for teeth with non-vital pulp and 99% for teeth with vital pulp. Fracture was the most common reason for tooth loss.

Conclusions

Non-vital pulp had the most significant association with tooth loss among the parameters. Therefore, it is very important to minimize dental pulp extirpation.

Dental Caries in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Korea

Background

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic infectious oral disease of multifactorial etiology. Increased risk of dental caries development in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis has been frequently reported. In contrast, only a few studies on dental caries in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have been reported.

Objective

We investigated the association between AD and dental caries development in an adult population in the Republic of Korea.

Methods

A total of 21,606 adults who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey between 2010 and 2015, were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analyses with confounder adjustment suggested odds ratios (ORs) to identify the possible association between AD and decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) experience compared to non-AD participants. Multiple Poisson regression analyses estimated the mean ratio of the DMFT index according to the presence of AD.

Results

After adjusting for various confounding factors, the prevalence of DMFT was significantly associated with AD (OR, 1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08~2.29; p=0.017). In addition, the mean value of the DMFT index was significantly different between the AD and non-AD groups (mean ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00~1.14; p=0.046).

Conclusion

AD was significantly associated with the development of dental caries. Dermatologists should be aware of the dental manifestations of AD patients and recommend regular dental check-ups for the early detection of caries.

A multilevel analysis of the importance of oral health instructions for preventing tooth loss: The 8020 Promotion Foundation Study of Japanese Dental Patients

Background

Many studies have reported risk factors for tooth loss. Oral health instruction is considered effective at improving oral health behavior and oral health. However, few studies have examined the relationship of dental clinic factors, such as the number of dental hygienists and implementation of oral health instructions, with tooth loss. Here, we conducted a multilevel analysis to clarify the dental clinic risk factors associated with tooth loss.

Methods

Baseline surveys were conducted at 1216 dental clinics in 46 prefectures in Japan, and 12,399 dental patients aged 20 years and over underwent oral examinations and completed a questionnaire. The dental clinics also completed a questionnaire at baseline. A 3-year follow-up survey included 2488 patients in 585 dental clinics. Multilevel multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the risk of tooth loss at the patient and clinic levels.

Results

Of the patient variables, older age, higher mean probing pocket depth, current or past smoking, and bleeding during tooth brushing were associated with higher risks of tooth loss. Individuals with many teeth who visited dental clinics for maintenance were at significantly lower risk of tooth loss. Of the clinic variables, patients attending dental clinics with four or more dental hygienists had a significantly lower risk of tooth loss (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50–0.99). Patients attending dental clinics that provide oral health instructions for 20 min or more had a significantly lower risk of tooth loss (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.96).

Conclusions

In addition to individual risk factors for tooth loss, dental clinic factors such as length of oral health instruction and number of dental hygienists are associated with tooth loss. In dental clinics, ensuring sufficient time for dental hygienists to provide oral health instructions can help prevent tooth loss in dental patients.

Commercial oral hygiene products and implant collar surfaces: Scanning electron microscopy observations

BACKGROUND

The use of medicated mouthwashes and gels in the home care maintenance of dental implants is controversial due to the possibility of residue deposition on the implant collar. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyse, by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the amount of residues on dental implant collars treated with various commercial home dental care products.

METHODS

Gel and mouthwash products were tested on 10 implants. The gels included sodium fluoride, amine fluoride, and sodium hyaluronate products. The mouthwashes tested contained triclosan, nimesulide, stannous fluoride, amine fluoride, and hexetidine-chlorobutanol. The SEM observations were performed at different magnifications in double modality SE (secondary electrons) and BSE (backscattered electrons) to qualitatively assess any residual products. The image quantitative analysis was performed by Image J^® software to assess areas occupied by residuals. All results were analysed by the same researcher with experience in electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The fluoride-based gel products left wider areas occupied by residuals than the mouthwash products. In particular the fluoride-based and hyaluronate products left the highest amount of residues. Among mouthwashes, fluoride-based and triclosan products showed the highest amount of residuals deposition.

DISCUSSION

Oral hygiene procedures and related professional products are fundamental to the prevention, treatment, and control of microorganisms. In the case of implants, mechanical and chemical plaque control strategies are even more important since the potentially harmful biofilm covers abiotic titanium surfaces. In situ fixture maintenance is crucial for dental implant therapy success. Correct recommendation of home care products for bacterial control is fundamental to the health of implants and their surrounding tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from this experimental study showed that home care commercial products in gel formulation, especially those containing fluoride, leave more residuals on titanium smooth surfaces than mouthwash products. The longer permanence of the products may lead to a more effective plaque control than other products.

Tooth loss in adults: factors associated with the position and number of lost teeth

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the factors associated with tooth loss in adults from the position and number of teeth lost in the dental arches.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, population-based study with adults participating in the epidemiological survey of oral health of São Paulo in 2015. The outcome of the study was tooth loss, assessed by the proposed classification, namely: I) lost up to 12 back teeth; II) lost up to 12 teeth (including front teeth); and III) lost more than 12 teeth. A four-block analysis was conducted, supported by a conceptual theoretical model adapted for tooth loss. For the multinomial logistic regression, "individuals who did not lose teeth due to caries or periodontal disease" was used as reference (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Of 6,051 adults evaluated, 25.3% (n = 1,530) were classified in category I, 32.7% (n = 1,977) in II, 9.4% (n = 568) in III, and 1.9% (n = 117) were edentulous. Lower income and schooling, the perception of need for treatment and the last appointment motivated by routine, pain or extraction were associated with tooth loss, regardless of the classification. The negative evaluation of the dental service was associated with individuals who lost up to 12 teeth, both front and back. The presence of women and periodontal pocket were associated with tooth loss of up to 12 teeth, including front, and more than 12 teeth. Caries were associated with adults who lost up to 12 teeth, including front teeth.

CONCLUSION

The proposed classification allowed the identification of differences between the associated factors. Thus, the need to consider such classification in future studies is evident.