Factors Associated with Tooth Loss in Postmenopausal Women: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Mei-Yu Pan, Tsung-Cheng Hsieh, Po-Han Chen and Mei-Yen Chen
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Mei-Yu Pan: Department of Nursing, Chang Gang University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
Tsung-Cheng Hsieh: Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
Po-Han Chen: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin 63862, Taiwan
Mei-Yen Chen: College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-8

Abstract: Many studies have indicated that menopause affects periodontal health and tooth loss. The possible mechanism might due to several hormonal changes and low bone mineral density (BMD) during the transition period. However, few studies have explored the role of oral hygiene in the number of remaining teeth (NRT) in postmenopausal women (PMW). The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of and factors associated with NRT less than 20 in PMW. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in coastal Yunlin County, Taiwan. NRT was calculated based on natural and filled teeth. BMD was detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the collaborating hospital. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with NRT in rural PMW. Six hundred and ten rural PMW with mean age 65.4 years enrolled in this study. The mean NRT was 17.6 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.4), with 43.9% having <20 and 13.9% edentulous. More than half (65.9%) reported that they seldom brushed their teeth after meals, 79.2% rarely used dental floss, and 80% did not regularly undergo tooth scaling by a dentist. The majority of women had low BMD, including 48.7% with osteopenia and 20.7% with osteoporosis. After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, NRT <20 was associated with infrequent tooth scaling (odds ratio [OR] = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.70–4.56) and dental floss use (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.24–3.26), but not BMD. A high prevalence of NRT <20 was found among rural PMW, but poor oral hygiene rather than low BMD was the major contributing factor. It is an emerging issue for primary healthcare providers and clinicians to initiate oral hygiene promotion programs for these disadvantaged women.

Keywords: bone mineral density; number of remaining teeth; oral hygiene; postmenopausal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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