Reasons and risk indicators tor tooth loss in the Polish cross-sectional gerodontological study

Abstract

The number of teeth in the elderly is the most essential epidemiological data in gerodontological studies. It depends mainly on two medical causes in the form of caries and periodontitis, as well as many risk factors and indicators for tooth preservation and loss. The goals of the cross-sectional study among the residents of Wrocław and Oława aged 65-74 have been to assess the number of preserved teeth, severe tooth loss and edentulism in a 30-year trend and in relation to current European regional data. In addition, the most important risk indicators for tooth preservation and loss in the assessed population will be determined. After applying the two-tier stratification method from a group of 1,200 people, 387 volunteered for the study. The examination was conducted in dental offices in Wrocław and Oława, it consisted from clinical and anamnestic parts. The average number of preserved teeth in the entire group was 13.07 (median 15), there were 21.2% persons with functional dentition, 21.4% with severe tooth loss and 14.2% with edentulism. The main direct reason of tooth loss was caries and its complications, which concerned 81.9% of the teeth removed, on average over 12 teeth in the examined person. Referring the results of the obtained study to previous observations can be seen, that in the 30-year trend for Wrocław in people aged 65 to 74 years, the average number of teeth as well as the percentage of edentulism have improved, but they are still worse than the results of regional European studies. The main risk indicators of earlier loss of teeth by seniors in Lower Silesia are low income, past incorrect pro-health behaviours towards the oral cavity as well as current smoking and history of cardiovascular incidence.