Factors Related to Tooth Loss among Mississippi Adults

Objectives: This study will examine factors such as gender, race, educational level, income, drinking and smoking, presence or absence of coronary heart disease and diabetes as determinants of tooth loss.

Settings: Loss of all natural permanent teeth reflects patient and dentist attitudes, availability and accessibility of dental care, and the prevailing standard of care. In addition, periodontitis is a chronic infection in the supportive tissue of teeth that leads to tooth loss. Therefore, it has been postulated that an association between tooth loss and coronary heart disease and diabetes exists.

Methods: A total of 4439 Mississippi adults aged 18 years or older participated in the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). BRFSS is a telephone survey used to generate state specific estimates relative to public health issues. We used logistic regression analysis to investigate diabetes, CHD, along with age, gender and race as possible correlates of tooth loss among Mississippi adults. SAS 9.1 was used to analyze the complex sample survey.

Results: Age (p<.0001) and race (p<.0001) were found to be significant factors contributing to tooth loss among Mississippi adults. Those with CVD were about 12% more likely to have tooth loss although the results were not significant. Drinkers were 15% more likely to report tooth loss although these results were not significant.

Conclusion: Studies have suggested that tooth loss is related to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, initiatives that seek to improve dental health care in Mississippi may help to address the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the state.