The association of healthy eating index with tooth loss in NHANES 2011– 2012

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims: Although it has been shown that a daily diet can affect tooth loss in previous studies,no studies have examined the impact of healthy eating index (HEI) on tooth loss. We aim to analyze the relationship between HEI and tooth loss. Methods: During 2011 and 2012, NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data were analyzed.In order to test whether the healthy eating index is independently related to tooth loss, multivariate logistic regression models were developed. We analyzed association using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs ). Results: The scores of seafood and plant proteins(OR = 0.922, 95% CI: 0.871–0.976, P = 0.008),added sugars(OR = 0.922, 95% CI: 0.887–0.958, P < 0.001) and total vegetables(OR = 0.890, 95% CI: 0.762–1.000, P =0.050) were all significantly consociated with tooth loss. An individual with a low HEI are more likely to lose teeth.Multivariate regression models revealed a relationship between a higher HEI and a reduced tooth loss (OR = 0.397, 95% CI: 0.263–0.601, P < 0.001). Further,never smoking has a protective effect against tooth loss(OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38–0.70, P < 0.001). Also, older adults over 60 more likely to loss of teeth(OR = 9.18, 95% CI: 6.67–12.64, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: There is some connection between tooth loss and dietary structure in the study. Those with a higher healthy eating index lost fewer teeth. In the future, longitudinal, prospective studies will be needed to confirm these findings.