Clear link between obesity and tooth loss

Japan: A study involving over 200,000 adults shows a link between obesity and tooth loss.

Conducted by Shiga University of Medical Science and Sunstar, the cross-sectional study analysed BMI, tooth retention, tooth location and age with health insurance claims and check-ups – with particular emphasis on the over-40s age group.

The research article titled “Real-world evidence of the impact of obesity on residual teeth in the Japanese population: A cross-sectional study” has been published by medical journal PLOS ONE.

Largest study of its kind

Considered the largest study of its kind, the joint research analysed the relationship between BMI (Body Mass Index) and the numbers of teeth in each age group, comparing the positions of tooth loss between obese (BMI ≥25) and non-obese subjects using the large database of health insurance claims and health check-ups.

The researchers found that a higher BMI correlated with fewer residual teeth in the over-40s. Obese people lost more teeth – especially molars – when compared to non-obese people. In addition, smoking habits also increased the risk of tooth loss – although the tooth positions differ from those likely to be affected by obesity.

Massive database

Led by Dr Hiroshi Maegawa and Dr Katsutaro Morino, the research team from the Shiga University of Medical Science collaborated with Sunstar on the joint study that highlights the importance of weight loss, early dental visits, and treatment of periodontal disease and dental cavities in those who are obese.

“Our study led to two novel findings. First, we demonstrated that the increase in BMI is associated with a decrease in the number of residual teeth from younger age,” the authors wrote.

“Second, we showed that obesity is associated with the loss of residual molars in subjects over the age 30, and that smoking status further affected tooth loss at positions that were not affected by obesity alone.

“People with obesity should be encouraged to prevent tooth loss and maintain good health by visiting the dentist early to treat periodontal disease and caries and by caring for their molars with a proper oral hygiene routine.”

Obesity was identified as a risk factor for tooth loss independent of sex, age, diabetes and smoking habits.

Clear link

Although obesity has previously been linked to tooth loss, this research provides a clear link based on its large database upon which data analysis is calculated based on the level of the BMI and residual teeth.

The database of health insurance claims and health check-ups included a total of 706,150 subjects. A total of 233,517 adults were included in the study aged 20-74.

Click here for link to article: Real-world evidence of the impact of obesity on residual teeth in the Japanese population: A cross-sectional study.