Study links health behaviors, tooth loss in older adults
The loss of all natural teeth in older adults, known as edentulism, is closely associated with patterns of health-related behaviors and socioeconomic status, rather than direct social support alone, according to a new study published in Sage Journals.
Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, spanning from 2006 to 2015. Using statistical modeling, they identified two distinct behavioral groups: one exhibiting healthy habits and another engaging in riskier behaviors like smoking and poor diet. Participants in the healthier group were more likely to retain their natural teeth over nine years, according to the study.
The study found that social support and networks were not directly linked to tooth retention. However, these social factors indirectly influenced oral health by shaping behavioral patterns. Once socioeconomic status was factored in, the indirect effect of social support on tooth loss disappeared.
Socioeconomic factors alone had both direct and indirect links to edentulism, emphasizing their dominant role in determining oral health outcomes.
“The result of this study clearly shows that cluster of behaviors mediate the relationship between each of social support and socioeconomic position and edentulism,” the authors wrote.
The findings suggested that addressing multiple risk behaviors, particularly among those in lower socioeconomic groups, could be key to reducing tooth loss in aging populations.
Read more: Sage Journals
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.