Are You at Risk for Tooth Loss?

Researchers have identified several risk factors that increase the odds of losing teethdue to periodontal disease. These factors include male gender, smoking, and rheumatoidarthritis (RA), as well as poor oral hygiene. For their study, the researchers documented3694 teeth extractions from 1775 patients over a 30-day period.

As reported in the Journal of Periodontology (November 2005), the investigators discoveredthat only 30% of the participants lost teeth because of periodontal disease.These patients tended to lose about 3 teeth each, however—more than patients whohad teeth removed for other reasons. The study also indicated that patients aged 36years and older were >3 times as likely to lose a tooth for periodontal reasons, comparedwith younger individuals. Men, compared with women, also were more likely tolose a tooth because of gum disease.

Past or current smokers were 56% more apt to lose a tooth due to periodontal disease.Patients with RA and diabetes faced a 4-fold and 3-fold increased risk of losingteeth due to periodontal disease, respectively.