Tooth loss and its association with dietary intake and diet quality in American adults

To investigate associations between the number of natural teeth and energy intake, nutrient intake, and diet quality in adults.

Eligible adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2005-2008 were included in the present study (n=9140). Participants were classified into three groups depending on the total number of natural teeth (excluding third molars): full dentition (28 teeth), moderate dentition (21-27 teeth), and poor dentition (20 teeth or less). Dietary intake and diet quality were estimated from the first 24-h dietary recall data.

Participants in the poor dentition group had significantly lower energy intake than those with moderate dentition (P<0.05), however, both groups did not significantly differ from those who had full dentition. Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, smoking status, and energy intake, the intake of protein as well as most vitamins and minerals were positively associated with the total number of natural teeth (P<0.05); an inverse association was observed for carbohydrate intake (P<0.001). Diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2005, was inversely associated with tooth loss (P<0.001).

Tooth loss in adults is associated with lower diet quality and reduced intake of most nutrients; this may partly explain for the higher risk of chronic diseases in this population.

People with missing teeth are recommended to monitor their dietary intake to avoid nutrient deficiency and to improve their diet quality for better health.