Tooth-Loss Experience and Associated Variables among Adult Mexicans 60 Years and Older

• Published in: Puerto Rico health sciences journal Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 88 - 92
• Main Authors: Islas-Granillo, Horacio, Borges-Yañez, Aida, Medina-Solis, Carlo Eduardo, Lucas-Rincón, Salvador Eduardo, Navarrete-Hernández, José de Jesús, Villalobos-Rodelo, Juan José, Casanova-Rosado, Juan Fernando, Maupomé, Gerardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Puerto Rico Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ciencias Medicas 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Mexico - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Oral Health - statistics & numerical data; Oral Hygiene - statistics & numerical data; Radiation Injuries - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Smoking - adverse effects; Smoking - epidemiology; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tooth Loss - epidemiology; Mexico; México; Mexico; Tooth loss; Epidemiology; Oral health; Smoking
• ISSN: 0738-0658; 2373-6011

This study was conducted to determine the experience of tooth loss, as well as its associated variables, in a sample of adult Mexicans, aged 60 years and older. This cross-sectional study was part of a larger project to measure diverse oral health indicators in a convenience sample: it included 139 adult Mexican seniors (69.1% of whom were women), ages 60 years and older, either living in long-term care facilities or living independently and participating in adult day care services. Each participant underwent an oral examination to determine the number of missing teeth. Questionnaires were administered to collect sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral data. Statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric tests and negative binomial regression. The mean age was 79.06 (±9.78 years). The mean number of missing teeth was 20.02 (±8.61; median, 24); 99.3% of the participants had at least 1 missing tooth, and only 14 had 20 teeth or more. Using a negative binomial regression multivariate model, we found that for each year's increase in age, the mean number of teeth lost increased by 1% (p<0.05). In individuals who brushed their teeth fewer than two times a day, who had received radiotherapy, or who were currently smokers, the average tooth loss increased 49.2%, 22.6%, and 19.0%, respectively (p<0.01). Tooth-loss experience in these Mexican seniors was very high (20.02±8.61). Older age (within the range of this group of seniors), tooth-brushing patterns, the receipt of radiation therapy, and (current) tobacco use were associated with higher experience of tooth loss.