Tooth loss and associated risk indicators in an adult urban population from south Brazil

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence, extent, and risk indicators of tooth loss in a representative adult, urban population in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A sample of 974 subjects (ages 30 to 103 years, mean 48.7, SD 13.4) representative of the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Brazil was selected by a multi-stage probability cluster sampling strategy. In all, 94% of the subjects had experienced tooth loss. The mean tooth loss was 11.2 teeth, and varied between 5.5 and 20.2 teeth in the 30-39 and 60 + years age groups, respectively. The multivariable analysis, adjusted for age, showed that subjects who had lost 7-13 or ≥ 14 teeth were more likely to be females (odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, 2.4), of low (OR = 2.8, 5.1) or middle socio-economic status (OR = 2.3, 3.4), and heavy smokers (OR = 2.0, 2.3) than those with 6 or fewer missing teeth. Furthermore, loss of ≥ 14 teeth was associated with presence of > 50% teeth with attachment loss ≥ 5 mm (OR = 5.7), and loss of 7-13 teeth was associated with presence of > 50% teeth with attachment loss ≥ 5 mm (OR = 2.4) and having 15-30% or > 30% decayed-filled teeth (OR = 2.7 and 4.1). In conclusion, tooth loss is highly prevalent in this urban Brazilian population. Gender, socio-economic status, cigarette smoking, caries experience, and attachment loss are important risk indicators. A reduction in the population's tooth loss may be achieved by the implementation of community programs for the prevention and treatment of dental caries and periodontal diseases.