The relationship between dietary intake and the number of teeth in elderly Japanese subjects.
OBJECTIVE
This study used a precise weighing method to assess whether tooth loss was related to nutrient intake in elderly Japanese subjects.


METHODS
Fifty-seven subjects aged 74 years were randomly selected from a longitudinal interdisciplinary study of ageing. Complete 3-day food intake data were obtained by a precise weighing method. The dietary intakes of energy and nutrients were calculated based on the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (5th ed.). A clinical evaluation of the number of teeth present was carried out. Multiple regression standardised coefficients for each nutrient was estimated based on a continuous scale adjusted for gender, smoking habits, and educational level. After dividing the subjects into two groups according to the number of teeth present (0-19, 20+), the difference in the intake of nutrients and the amount of food consumed per day was evaluated.


RESULTS
The number of teeth present had a significant relationship with the intake of several nutrients. In particular, total protein, animal protein, sodium, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, niacin, and pantothenic acid were significantly associated with the number of teeth present and with the two groups (0-19, 20+). The intake of vegetables and fish, shellfish, and their products was significantly lower among subjects with fewer teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that there was a significant relationship between nutrient intake, such as minerals and vitamins from food, and tooth loss.
Yoshihara
Akihiro
A
Department of Oral Health Science, Division of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Japan. akihiro@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp
Watanabe
Reiko
R
Nishimuta
Mamoru
M
Hanada
Nobuhiro
N
Miyazaki
Hideo
H
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003817:Dentition; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D017747:Seafood; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D014675:Vegetables; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D014815:Vitamins; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D014807:Vitamin D