Association between Adult¡¦s Height and Dentition Status- JPHC Oral Health Study

Abstract

Objectives: Adult height is reported to be related with the risk of various diseases. Some previous studies also suggest a possible link between height and oral health, but no study has been conducted in Japan. The current study aimed at examining if height was linked with the dentition status in Japanese adults. Methods: The subjects were 1,214 adults(mean age: 65.5 ±5.76 years, men: 565, women: 649) who lived in Akita Prefecture, Japan. A selfcomplete questionnaire survey and clinical dental examination were conducted. Results: After adjustment for confounding variables, the number of total teeth (p for trend =0.022), and the sub-categories of anterior (p for trend=0.040) or posterior teeth (p for trend =0.027) significantly increased with an increment of height in men. The increasing trend of prevalence of having fewer than 24 teeth with the decrease of height was not significant but approached the significant level (p for trend=0.073). There was not a significant relationship between height and prevalence of subjects who were edentate. On the other hand, no corresponding significant associations between height and dentition status were found in women. Conclusion: A potential positive relationship between adult height and the number of teeth was suggested in men. The current findings imply the importance to promote both oral and general health by improving nutrition and diet as well as preventing and treating problems or diseases at an early age, in achieving good oral health later in life.