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Obesity And Premature Tooth Loss - An Epidemiological Study

A study involving more than 200,000 patients clearly demonstrates a connection between obesity and tooth loss. According to a study, tooth loss is more likely...

Dr. Zainab Rangwala

Dr. Zainab Rangwala

Chief Dentist · GDCHJ

3 min read106,970 views
  • oral hygiene
  • smoking
  • obesity
  • professional education
  • tooth loss
  • Preventive & Community Dentistry
  • dentistry
  • dental caries
  • periodontal disease
  • Dental News

A study involving more than 200,000 patients clearly demonstrates a connection between obesity and tooth loss.

According to a study, tooth loss is more likely to occur in people with a higher BMI. The 200,000 participants in the cross-sectional study were assessed for age, BMI, tooth retention, and tooth location.

It was observed that the incidence of tooth loss increased with BMI, especially for those over 40.

This study has brought attention to how crucial it is for obese people to lose weight, visit the dentist at a young age, and get treatment for periodontal disease and dental caries.

The research also revealed the following findings:

  • For those over 40, a greater BMI demonstrated a definite correlation with fewer remaining teeth.
  • Compared to non-obese adults, obese people lost more teeth, especially their posterior ones.
  • Significantly fewer molars and maxillary central incisors were present in obese individuals.
  • The risk of tooth loss was enhanced when smoking and obesity coexisted. These teeth were not in the same places as individuals who were only affected by obesity.
  • Regardless of gender, age, or smoking habits, obesity is a risk factor for tooth loss.

Doctors from the Shiga University of Medical Science collaborated with Sunstar to carry out this research.

In each age group, they examined the connection between BMI and the number of teeth. Then, using information from health insurance claims and check-ups, they compared tooth loss between obese (those with a BMI greater than 25) and non-obese individuals.

The study's findings have led the researchers to highlight a number of ways to stop tooth loss which are as follows:

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References

  1. [1]World Health Organization. Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health 2023–2030 World Health Organization. 2024. Available at: source
  2. [2]FDI World Dental Federation. Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal Oral Health for All FDI World Dental Federation. 2021. Available at: source

Written by

Dr. Zainab Rangwala

Dr. Zainab Rangwala

Chief Dentist · GDCHJ

With over 12 years of clinical experience, Dr. Zainab Rangwala brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and communication excellence to her role as the Media and PR Head at DentalReach. Passionate about bridging the gap between dentistry and digital communication, she plays a key role in shaping the platform’s voice and outreach.

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