Factors associated with root caries incidence in an elderly population

To identify baseline factors associated with future root caries development in an elderly population.

Oral health and general health status examinations were carried out at baseline and after one and two years. In order to identify risk predictors of root caries with a different degree of robustness, three multiple logistic regression analyses where the dependent variables were one, two and three or more disease events were performed.

Six hundred noninstitutionalised adults aged 70 in Niigata, Japan took part in the baseline examination. A total of 373 subjects were followed up for two years and identified as dentate at the two-year examination.

During the period of study, 35.9% of subjects developed at least one new root caries lesion. The mean number of new root caries lesions per subject was 0.9 (sd = 1.7). Logistic regression analyses indicated that having one or more root D surface and mean LA > or = 3.6 mm were the most robust risk predictors, having two or more prosthetic crowns, non use of interdental brushes or dental floss and LB > or = 10(5) CFU/ml were moderately robust risk predictors, and a Body Mass Index < 20 was the least robust risk predictor.

These findings suggest that oral health status is a good risk predictor, and poor general health indicated by a low Body Mass Index may also contribute to root caries occurrence in this elderly population.