title: Root caries, root surface restorations and lifestyle factors in adult Danes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate selected lifestyle factors in relation to active caries and restored root surface lesions in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on clinical examinations and questionnaires, data on root caries, socioeconomic status, body mass index, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, tobacco use and oral hygiene routines were collected from 4369 adults aged 21-89 who took part in a survey covering 13 municipalities across Denmark. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to analyse the relationship between the independent lifestyle variables and active caries and restored root surface lesions, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of active root caries was 4%, while 26% displayed restored root surfaces. The sugar intake was not related to root caries. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, in subjects aged 45 or over, smoking and wearing dentures were significantly associated with presence of active root caries (p<0.01). The intake of 15 drinks or more per week was associated with higher odds of root surface restorations compared with no alcohol intake (OR=1.7; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lifestyle factors such as tobacco use and alcohol consumption, as well as wearing dentures, were significantly associated with the occurrence of untreated caries and restored root surface lesions, especially in persons over 45. Thus, such lifestyle factors should be taken into consideration, identifying persons with a need of preventive dental services. In addition, oral health education should focus on the possible risks of smoking and a high alcohol intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Lisa Bøge
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardow
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ekstrand
authors.forename: Nils-Erik
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Fiehn
authors.forename: Berit L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Heitmann
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Qvist
authors.forename: Svante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twetman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017213:Root Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012923:Social Class; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose
keywords: Alcohol; diet; oral hygiene; root caries; tobacco use