Tooth loss among the elders in an inner city area of Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with tooth loss among elders in an inner city area of Ibadan, Nigeria. BACKGROUND: Tooth loss is an indication of the oral health of a population, and the possible effects of oral health on general health of the elders has been reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 392 consenting elders in Idikan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, causes and effects of tooth loss was obtained using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. After the interview, the elders were examined for the presence of tooth loss by a trained examiner. RESULT: Mean (SD) age of the elders was 73.0 (9.2) years. One hundred and eighty-seven (47.7%) participants had >/=1 missing tooth, and 20 (5.1%) participants had complete edentulousness. The mean SD number of missing teeth was 5.9 (4.7) teeth. Age, level of education, monthly income and physical impairment were associated with mean (SD) number of missing teeth (P<.05). Speech difficulty, appearance problems, chewing difficulty, feeling bereaved, mobility of adjacent teeth, halitosis and premature ageing were reported more by participants who had >16 missing teeth compared to those who had </=16 teeth (P<.05). CONCLUSION: The mouth prevalence of tooth loss was 47.7%, and mean (SD) number of missing teeth was 5.9 (4.7) teeth. Age, level of education, monthly income and physical impairment were associated with number of missing teeth (P<.05). Speech difficulty, appearance problem, chewing difficulty, feeling of bereavement, mobility of adjacent teeth, halitosis and premature ageing were associated with increasing number of missing teeth (P<.05).