Factors Associated with Tooth Loss in Patients with 28 or More and Fewer Teeth─A 5-year Cohort Study─

Abstract

 Early prevention of tooth loss is extremely important. The factors associated with tooth loss are diverse and may vary depending on the number of teeth present. We aimed to examine whether factors related to tooth loss over a 5-year period differ between adults with ≥ and <28 teeth. A total of 292 participants (193 men and 99 women) underwent the same health check-up, including internal medicine and oral examinations. Binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted using the loss of one or more teeth as the objective variable and factors related to tooth loss as explanatory variables. The incidences of tooth loss were 22.1 and 34.5% in patients with ≥ and <28 teeth, respectively. The risk of tooth loss among the participants with ≥28 teeth was significantly correlated with drinking habits (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–5.77), and dental caries (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.39–7.37). In contrast, the risk of tooth loss among the participants with <28 teeth was associated with a periodontal pocket depth ≥6 mm (OR, 20.38; 95% CI, 1.72–240.89). The preventive methods to be focused on vary depending on the number of teeth present. For individuals with ≥28 teeth, caries prevention is important, whereas for those with <28 teeth, prevention of periodontal disease becomes crucial.