Tooth number and physical complaints in a 15-year cohort study

Objectives: There have been a number of studies on the relationship between oral health and systemic health. We previously reported that functional tooth number and denture use were significant factors for mortality in a 15-year cohort of community -residing people (Fukai, K. et al., 2007, 2008). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between tooth number and physical complaints in adults.

Methods: The baseline study was performed with residents in Miyako Islands, Okinawa in 1987. Dental examinations were performed by dentists, and the data concerning physical complaints were based on physicians' diagnoses and comments. The number of participants was 5,584 (2,206 males and 3,378 females) aged 40 to 89 years. The number of functional teeth was defined as the total number of sound teeth, filled teeth, and early stage decay. Pulpal decay and stump teeth were not counted as functional teeth. We also recorded the causes and years of death of participants who died during the next fifteen years. The assessed physical complaints were shoulder pain, lower back pain, lower limb palsy, upper limb palsy, neuralgic pain, dizziness, hearing difficulty, ear ringing, and ahypnia. Statistical analyses were performed with ANOVA, multiple logistic regression analysis, and Cox regression analysis.

Results: The percentage of participants who had physical complaints ranged from 31.9% to 45.2% in males and 51.6% to 31.5% in females. The average number of functional teeth was 13.8 in those who had no complaints, 12.7 for one complaint, 11.1 for two or three complaints among males (p<0.05); and 9.8, 7.9, and 7.3 respectively among females (p<0.05). The MLRA to adjust corresponding factors such as systemic disease and denture use showed that functional tooth number was a significant factor in these physical complaints for both genders (p<0.01). There was no significant relationship between mortality and baseline physical complaints.

Conclusions: The results suggest that tooth loss may be a trigger that causes physical symptoms. Greater awareness of and research into the influence of oral health on systemic health is needed.