Study Examines Whether Number of Teeth Contributes to Morbidity

Study Examines Whether Number of Teeth Contributes to Morbidity

In an effort to answer whether the number of teeth

contributes to compression of morbidity, a prospective cohort study has found

that individuals with ? 20 teeth have a lower risk of transitioning from a

healthy state to a disabled or deceased state than subjects with fewer teeth.

The study measured compression of morbidity as an

extension of healthy life expectancy, a shortening of life expectancy with

disability, and overall life expectancy.

In the paper, “Dental Status and Compression of Life

Expectancy With Disability,” published in the Journal of Dental Research, Japanese investigators used a self-reported

baseline survey of subjects age 65 and older. The authors followed the onset of

functional disability and all-cause mortality for 1,374 days. A sex-stratified illness-death model was applied to estimate

adjusted hazard ratios for the three health transitions (healthy to disabled,

healthy to deceased, and disabled to deceased). After adjusting

for age, denture use, socioeconomic status, health status, and health behavior,

differences in healthy life expectancy, life expectancy with

disability, and overall life expectancy were estimated based on the number of teeth.

Compared to subjects with fewer teeth, individuals with

? 20 teeth had a lower risk of transitioning from healthy to disabled, healthy

to deceased, or disabled to deceased. In addition, among subjects age 85 and

older, those with ? 20 teeth had a longer life expectancy and healthy life

expectancy than edentulous individuals or those with ? 19 teeth. This research

suggests that oral health contributes to more than just quality of life; it may

also support overall health and prolonged life expectancy. 

Hygiene Connection E-Newsletter
August 2017