Abstract
Associations between inadequate nutrient intakes and poor dentition in older adults have been shown. The aims of this study are to investigate associations between nutrient intakes and composition of posterior functional tooth units (FTUs) in older men. Preliminary analysis of a standardized validated diet history assessment and comprehensive oral health examination in 410 community dwelling men (mean age: 84 years) participating in Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. FTUs were categorized as replaced and/or natural teeth and categorized by number of FTUs. Attainment of Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) for total energy and key nutrients (protein, Fe, Zn, riboflavin, Ca and vitamin D) were incorporated into a ‘key nutrients’ variable dichotomised ‘good’ (≥5) or ‘poor’ (≤4). 43.2%(n=177) had ‘replaced’ only FTUs, 31.7% (n=130) had natural only FTUs and 36.8% (n=151) had <7 FTUs. Most men met their NRVs, however only 27% met their NRVs for fibre, 26% for potassium, 13% for calcium and < 1%, for vitamin D. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, ‘replaced’ only FTUs, compared to ‘natural only’ FTUs, were associated with intakes below the recommendations for folate OR:1.95(95%CI:1.16–3.29), riboflavin, 2.23(1.03–4.83), magnesium 2.22(1.32–3.74) and fibre 1.81(1.06–3.10). Adjusted analysis also showed that men with <7 FTUs, compared to complete FTUs OR:2.28(95%CI: 1.19, 4.41) and those with ‘replaced’ only FTUs, compared to ‘natural’ only FTUs 2.00(1.09, 3.66) were more likely to have poor nutritional intake of key nutrients. Our study shows that composition of FTUs in older men is associated with inadequate intake of some nutrients.