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OBJECTIVES: To describe life-style correlates of tooth loss in a representative rural American population. METHODS: Information on tooth loss as well as past medical history and life-style factors was obtained in a well-defined cohort of 2,764 persons 53-96 years of age in Beaver Dam, WI (1998-2000). RESULTS: There were 1,992 (68.2%) persons missing some and 447 (15.3%) missing all of their teeth. In univariable analyses, age, cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, education, multivitamin use, and diabetes status were associated with tooth loss. Tooth loss was associated with poorer self-rated health and with difficulty eating solid food and inability to enjoy some food. In multivariable models age, education, smoking, heavy drinking, and diabetes were significantly associated with tooth loss. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss is common in older persons and is associated with many risk factors including education, smoking, and heavy drinking. It is possible that modifying these may influence risk of tooth loss.
Klein et al. (Wed,) studied this question.