Tooth loss, chewing habits, and food choices among older Nigerians in Plateau State: a preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between tooth loss, chewing habits, and food choices among older Nigerians.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered by an interviewer to 500 randomly selected Nigerians, aged 50 and above, drawn from households in Plateau State in the North Central part of Nigeria. Intake of fruits/vegetables, and hard food items such as nuts, roast corn and nontender meat, was assessed. The subjects were then examined clinically to chart their dentitions.

Results: The sample comprised of approximately equal numbers of men and women from predominantly rural and semi-urban communities. Those participants who had more than 20 teeth selected fruits/vegetables more frequently than those with fewer teeth; in addition, they chewed hard foods more frequently. On the other hand, a larger proportion of people with 20 or fewer teeth indicated that they avoided certain food items because of their teeth/mouth conditions. One-way anova showed that the people who selected fruits/vegetables daily or weekly compared to occasionally or rarely had significantly more teeth on average. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, gender, income, and education showed that the number of remaining teeth was significantly associated with the selection of vegetables/fruits and other hard food items.

Conclusion: Tooth loss affects selection of specific foods by older Nigerians in Plateau State and thus, could impact on the nutritional status of these individuals.