Self-perceived oral health and orofacial appearance in older adults: an 18-year follow-up study in Karlskrona, Sweden

Sara Henricsson, Viveca Wallin Bengtsson, Stefan Renvert, Johan Sanmartin Berglund, Nina Lundegren, Pia Andersson

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether self-perceived oral health and orofacial appearance change with increasing age. 

METHODS: This longitudinal study is based on data from a questionnaire used in the Swedish National Study of Aging and Care. The sample comprises 160 participants 60 years of age at baseline 2001-2003. The same participants were re-examined at 66-, 72-, and 78 years of age. To analyze whether perceptions of oral health and orofacial appearance changed with increasing age, Cochran's Q test was conducted. Statistical significance was considered at p  ≤  0.05, and the calculated value Q must be equal to or greater than the critical chi-square value (Q ≥ 7.82). Significance values have been adjusted for the Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. 

RESULTS: Self-perceived mouth dryness, both day (Q = 7.94) and night (Q = 23.41), increased over the 18-year follow-up. When divided by gender, significant differences were only seen for mouth dryness at nighttime. A decrease in sensitive teeth was perceived with increasing age, and an increase in self-perceived satisfaction with dental appearance, and a decrease in self-perceived problems with dental gaps between the ages of 60 and 78. These changes were, however, not statistically significant. Men experienced a higher proportion of discomfort with discolored teeth at age 78 than at 60 (Q = 9.09). 

CONCLUSIONS: Self-perceived oral health and orofacial appearance were relatively stable, with few changes over an 18-year follow-up.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)255-263
Number of pages9
JournalActa Odontologica Scandinavica
Volume83
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024-May-03

Swedish Standard Keywords

  • Clinical Medicine (302)

Keywords

  • older adults
  • oral health
  • orofacial appearance
  • self-perception

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