Life-style correlates of tooth loss in an adult Midwestern population.
OBJECTIVE
To describe life-style correlates of tooth loss in a representative rural American population.


METHODS
Information on tooth loss as well as past medical history and life-style factors was obtained in a well-defined cohort of 2,764 persons 53-96 years of age in Beaver Dam, WI (1998-2000).


RESULTS
There were 1,992 (68.2%) persons missing some and 447 (15.3%) missing all of their teeth. In univariable analyses, age, cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, education, multivitamin use, and diabetes status were associated with tooth loss. Tooth loss was associated with poorer self-rated health and with difficulty eating solid food and inability to enjoy some food. In multivariable models age, education, smoking, heavy drinking, and diabetes were significantly associated with tooth loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Tooth loss is common in older persons and is associated with many risk factors including education, smoking, and heavy drinking. It is possible that modifying these may influence risk of tooth loss.
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical School, University of Wisconsin, 610 North Walnut Street, 4th Floor WARF, Madison, WI 53726-2336, USA. kleinb@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
Ronald
R
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004435:Eating; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D014815:Vitamins