Low dietary quality among older adults with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures

To examine dietary quality and nutrient intakes of participants wearing dentures with and without poor fit as determined by questionnaire and dental exam.

Nutrient intakes, Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score, and serum nutrient values were examined among individuals wearing either adequate- or poor-fitting dentures and individuals who had at least 18 teeth.

Data was collected from 4,820 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ages 50 years and older with at least 18 teeth (n=3,207) or those wearing dentures (n=1,613), who responded to a questionnaire about denture fit and had their dentures evaluated by a dentist.

Analysis of covariance and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between individuals fully dentate, wearing good-or ill-fitting dentures, and nutritional status indicators.

The group with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures compared with the group with natural teeth had significantly lower total HEI (66.5 vs 68.5 P<.002), vegetables (6.3 vs 6.8 P<.01), and variety scores (7.8 vs 8.2 P<.02); lower ascorbic acid (P<.009) and carotene intakes (P<.004). The group with self-perceived good-fitting dentures did not differ significantly from the dentate group. However, both groups wearing dentures had significantly lower serum levels of vitamins C and E, beta carotene, folate, lutein, and lycopene/zeaxanthin compared with the dentate group.

Dietary quality and intake of certain nutrients was poorer among the group with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures than among those wearing adequate dentures or those with natural teeth. Administering a simple questionnaire to patients about their perceptions of denture fit may be useful in identifying denture wearers at increased risk of dietary inadequacy.