Association between parity and tooth loss among northern Nigerian Hausa women

Female reproduction is associated with physiological, metabolic, and nutritional demands that can negatively affect health and are possibly cumulative when parity is high. While it is probable that maternal oral health is similarly affected, available evidence is based on fairly low parity populations and likely confounders affecting oral health status were not considered.

To determine the relationship between parity and tooth loss in a population with many high parity women. Contributions of age, reproductive and socioeconomic parameters, and oral health practices were considered.

This was a cross-sectional study involving 612 Hausa women of all parity levels aged 13-65 years. Women with ≥5 children were considered high parity. Sociodemographic status and oral health practices were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. All teeth present, (excluding third molars) and missing teeth were noted, with inquiries regarding tooth loss etiology. Associations with tooth loss were evaluated through correlations, ANOVA, post hoc analyses and Student's t tests. Effect sizes were used to interpret the magnitude of differences. Multiple regression (negative binomial model) was used to investigate predictors of tooth loss.

Hausa women had a low prevalence of tooth loss, despite poor oral hygiene, and limited dental care. Older, middle SES, and higher parity women experienced significantly more tooth loss. Additionally, increased duration of reproductively active years was significantly related to fewer remaining teeth.

Higher parity was related to greater tooth loss in Hausa women. Women with ≥5 children experienced more loss than lower parity age mates.