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

• 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.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Aged

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Longitudinal Studies

Male

Middle Aged

Oral Health

Self Concept

Surveys and Questionnaires

Sweden

follow up

health

human

longitudinal study

questionnaire

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)