Lifestyle and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Tooth Loss in Mexican Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to examine: (1) the prevalence of tooth loss in persons living in community dwellings and (2) the strength of the association identified between tooth loss experience and the psychosocial factors of lifestyle, stress, and anxiety. Material And Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in a convenience sample where data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires of lifestyle and psychosocial factors (stress and anxiety) and a clinical examination. A total of 516 subjects aged 14-30 years of age were included in the study. Subjects had a visual dental examination. Prevalence and mean of tooth loss were calculated excluding third molars, and their related factors were adjusted in a binary logistic regression. Results Mean age of participants was 17.4±3.0 years; 45.5% were men. The prevalence of tooth loss (when at least one tooth was lost) was 20.5%. Among the 516 persons, a total of 201 teeth were lost with a mean tooth loss 0.39±0.95 overall. Mean tooth loss in subjects with at least one missing tooth was 1.90±1.26 teeth. Results adjusted by anxiety in the multivariate logistic regression model showed tooth loss was associated with lifestyle (OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.17 – 3.24), age (OR=2.65, 95% CI=1.64 – 4.26), and Angle's malocclusion II and III (OR=2.86; 95% CI=1.67 – 4.90). A slight association toward tooth loss was observed (p<0.10) in the sex and stress variables. Conclusions Lifestyle and tooth loss have a substantial association. According to age group, these results suggest tooth loss is an oral health problem in the study population. Citation Casanova-Rosado JF, Medina-Solis CE, Vallejos-Sanchez AA, Casanova-Rosado AJ, Maupomé G, Avila-Burgos L. Lifestyle and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Tooth Loss in Mexican Adolescents and Young Adults. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 August;(6)3:070-077.