Factors affecting tooth loss among the elderly population in China / 预防医学

ABSTRACT

Abstract@#To investigate the status and influencing factors of tooth loss among the elderly population in China, so as to provide insights into early prevention of tooth loss.@*Methods@#Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), data of the elderly people aged 65 years and older who participated in the survey in 2018 were collected, including demographic information, lifestyle, dietary habits, medical history, number of teeth remaining and self-assessment indicators. The status of tooth loss among the elderly were described based on the standard of 28 teeth, and factors affecting tooth loss were analyzed using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model.@*Results@#A total of 5 260 people was recruited, including 3 346 males (63.61%) and 1 914 females (36.39%). The median age was 78.00 (interquartile range, 18.00) years. The median number of teeth remaining was 12.00 (interquartile range, 23.00), and the median number of missing teeth was 16.00 (interquartile range, 23.00). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly who were female (OR=1.270, 95%CI 1.098-1.470), had advanced age (OR=1.090, 95%CI 1.083-1.098), lived in rural areas (OR=1.369, 95%CI 1.165-1.610) and urban areas (OR=1.208, 95%CI 1.027-1.422), smoked (past, OR=1.471, 95%CI 1.240-1.746; always, OR=1.545, 95%CI 1.300-1.838) and brushed teeth less than once a day (OR=1.791, 95%CI 1.488-2.160) had more missing teeth; while the elderly who had high levels of education (junior high school, OR=0.819, 95%CI 0.681-0.972; high school, OR=0.626, 95%CI 0.507-0.771; college and above, OR=0.468, 95%CI 0.334-0.657), kept physical exercise (OR=0.840, 95%CI 0.736-0.958) and were overweight/obese (OR=0.868, 95%CI 0.769-0.980) had less missing teeth.@*Conclusion@#Gender, age, residence, educational level, smoking, physical exercise, teeth brushing frequency and overweight/obese are the influencing factors for tooth loss among the elderly in China.