OBJECTIVES

Individuals with asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at higher risk for tooth loss compared to those with neither asthma nor COPD due to medications for these conditions and other aspects of the diseases that may be a barrier to routine dental care visits. The objective of this study was to determine the association of asthma and/or COPD and tooth loss among US adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was employed using 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N=387,217). We categorized number of missing permanent teeth into 4 groups: asthma only (N=38,817); COPD only (N = 19,819); asthma and COPD (N=13,494); and no asthma, no COPD (N=315,087). Our primary outcome was number of missing teeth categories (none, 1-6, 6-not all, and all teeth missing). We employed multinomial logistic regressions to study the association between asthma and COPD and tooth loss categories.

RESULTS

One in 20 adults reported all missing teeth. Adults with asthma and COPD had higher odds of poor oral health (missing>=6 teeth, all) compared to no asthma, no COPD (AOR=2.04; 95%CI=1.85-2.26). Dental visits mediated the relationship between asthma and COPD and oral health.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with asthma and COPD had poor oral health compared to those with neither asthma nor COPD. Adults with asthma and COPD may need to maintain routine dental visits to reduce risk of tooth loss. Findings from our study can be useful for planning and developing health promotion and disease prevention programs for oral health.