Impact of Impaired Fasting or Diabetes Compared with That of Smoking Habit on Tooth Loss

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of diabetes and smoking on the risk of tooth loss in adults and the elderly. Dental receipts and specific health checkup data were used to assess increase in tooth extraction among people with a high blood glucose level or a smoking habit. The data were obtained from a database maintained by DeSC Healthcare Corporation, which supports the integrity of data held by health insurers. Dental receipts and specific health checkup data from 2018 to 2021 were used to obtain information on fasting blood glucose levels, smoking habits, and tooth extraction in 12,219 individuals aged 45-69 years. The results showed that the proportion of tooth extractions between 2018 and 2021 (32.3%) was higher in those with hyperglycemia. The proportion of tooth extractions in smokers (34.0%) was also significantly higher than that in non-smokers (21.6%). These results suggest that measures must be taken to promote dental and oral health care in those with hyperglycemia and in those with a smoking habit.