Tooth loss and cognitive functions among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between the number of teeth and cognitive functions adjusted for age and education level in a cohort of older adults living in Sweden.


METHODS
The study employed a cross-sectional design in which 1147 individuals between 60-96 years underwent a clinical oral examination. The cognitive functions were assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clock-test. The level of education was obtained from a questionnaire. Data were subjected to Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed, grouping the different variables into pre-determined categories.


RESULTS
The co-variables age and education were significantly associated with the number of teeth (p < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the association between the number of teeth and the cognitive functions persisted even after adjusting for age and level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the presence of teeth may be of importance for cognitive abilities in older adults.
Maxillofacial Unit, Halland Hospital , Halmstad , Sweden.
Helena
H
Nilsson
Johan
J
Berglund
Stefan
S
Renvert
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*
cognitive impairment; dementia; elderly; oral health