This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Drake, C.W. Articles by Koch, G.G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Drake, C.W. Articles by Koch, G.G. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Three-year Tooth Loss among Black and White Older Adults in North Carolina

Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, CB 7450, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7450

R.J. Hunt

Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry, CB 7450, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7450

G.G. Koch

Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, CB 7400, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599

The distribution and determinants of tooth loss in older adults are poorly defined, especially in Blacks, who have been underrepresented in previous studies. This study investigated, epidemiologically, the distribution and predictors of tooth loss in elder Blacks and Whites by following a random sample of older adults in North Carolina for three years. It was hypothesized that Blacks would be at greater risk of tooth loss and would have different risk factors for tooth loss. Data from 263 Blacks and 228 Whites were collected by dental examinations and interviews conducted in the participants' homes. During the three-year follow-up, 53% of Blacks and 29% of Whites lost at least one tooth. Blacks lost 13% of their remaining teeth compared with 4% for Whites. Logistic regression models showed that factors related to tooth loss for Blacks were: more S. mutans in stimulated saliva, deeper periodontal pockets, more P. intermedia in subgingival plaque, high blood pressure, limited help from others, and few symptoms of depression. For Whites, significant factors were: more lactobacilli in stimulated saliva, history of current oral pain at baseline, more alcohol consumption, no history of past use of calcium or xerostomic medications, higher income, lower occupational prestige, and increased numbers of negative life events. This study showed that older Blacks were at greater risk of tooth loss than older Whites. For both races, factors such as oral bacteria, periodontal conditions, oral symptoms, and psychosocial and economic factors are related to increased risk of tooth loss.

Key Words: dental health survey • human • tooth loss • geriatric • epidemiology • race.

Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 74, No. 2, 675-680 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/00220345950740020801


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. E. Sanders, S. Lim, and W. Sohn Resilience to Urban Poverty: Theoretical and Empirical Considerations for Population Health Am J Public Health, June 1, 2008; 98(6): 1101 - 1106. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Bosch, M. Turkenburg, K. Nazmi, E. C. I. Veerman, E. J. C. de Geus, and A. V. Nieuw Amerongen Stress as a Determinant of Saliva-Mediated Adherence and Coadherence of Oral and Nonoral Microorganisms Psychosom Med, July 1, 2003; 65(4): 604 - 612. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Amarasena, A.N. Ekanayaka, L. Herath, and H. Miyazaki Socio-Demographic Risk Indicators for Tooth Mortality in Rural Sri Lankans Asia Pac J Public Health, January 1, 2003; 15(2): 105 - 110. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E.A. Krall, B. Dawson-Hughes, A.J. Garvey, and R.I. Garcia Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Tooth Loss Journal of Dental Research, October 1, 1997; 76(10): 1653 - 1659. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P.P. Hujoel, L.V. Powell, and H.A. Kiyak The Effects of Simple Interventions on Tooth Mortality: Findings in One Trial and Implications for Future Studies Journal of Dental Research, April 1, 1997; 76(4): 867 - 874. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Locker, J. Ford, and J.L. Leake Incidence of and Risk Factors for Tooth Loss in a Population of Older Canadians Journal of Dental Research, February 1, 1996; 75(2): 783 - 789. [Abstract] [PDF]