Prevalence of edentulousness and related factors among elderly Finns

Abstract

Edentulousness is a multifactor phenomenon. While its overall prevalence is diminishing, it is increasing in older age groups. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of edentulousness among the elderly in two municipalities in Finland and to estimate different factors related to it. All persons born in the years 1919, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1934 and 1937 living in two municipalities (Kirkkonummi in the southern part of Finland and Lakeus in the northern part of Finland) were invited to participate in the study in 1997. The target population consisted of 1733 subjects of whom 1191 were disposed to participate in a clinical examination performed by two dentists. Of the subjects, 624 were from the southern district (Kirkkonummi) and 566 were from the northern district (Lakeus). The participation rates were 62% and 78%, respectively. The subjects answered a questionnaire comprising sociodemographical data, questions on dental and general health and health behaviour. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between edentulousness and potential associating factors. The overall prevalence of edentulousness was 37%; being 53% in the northern region and 22% in the southern region. Edentulousness was positively associated with high age [odds ratio (OR = 1.09), confidence interval (CI = 1.06-1.12)], female gender (OR = 2.06, CI = 1.43-2.94), northern place of residence (OR = 2.01, CI = 1.45-2.78), low level of education (OR = 7.09, CI = 3.18-15.81), cardiovascular diseases (OR = 1.51, CI = 1.03-2.21) and current smoking versus never smoking (OR = 1.73, CI = 1.17-2.55). Social factors were more prominently associated with edentulousness than factors related to general health.

Associations between smoking and tooth loss according to the reason for tooth loss

“…32,33 Although caries is a major reason for tooth loss across all age groups, PD is a particularly important reason among older adults, 34,35 Many studies pertaining to smoking and tooth loss were conducted in men, and fewer data are available regarding this association in women. Study results show that women often experience more tooth loss than men 36,37 despite having better oral health practices and a lower smoking prevalence. 8 Women older than 65 years have an average of 18.77 teeth, and the number of remaining teeth is 4.52 fewer among current smokers than it is among never smokers.…”

Dental, Medical and Psychosocial Factors may be Critical Factors for Retaining Functional Dentition into Very Old Age

“…Within this variation, however, some constants seem to emerge consistently in different parts of the world. [3][4][5] These are age, education, and, to a lesser degree, gender. Education has been confirmed in the present study.…”

Spirometric Assessment of Impact of Complete Dentures on Respiratory Performance: An in vitro Study

“…Correlation between various cephalometric variables and morphology of face along with the relationship of cervical and orofacial areas have been a topic of current research for the past few decades. [8][9][10] Hence, we planned the present study to assess the impact of complete dentures on the functioning of the respiratory system. In the present study, we analyzed a total of 100 subjects and evaluated the effect of various oral conditions [with and without dentures (WODs)] on the respiratory performance (Graph 1).…”