Relationship between salivary haemoglobin and number of remaining teeth in older Koreans

Objective

We investigated the relationship between saliva and dental biofilm characteristics, oral hygiene behaviours and the number of remaining teeth in a sample of older Koreans.

Materials and methods

This cross‐sectional study included 133 participants, aged 65 years and older, recruited from senior welfare facilities in Incheon, South Korea. The outcome variable was the number of remaining teeth, and its associations with the independent variables of participants’ general characteristics, salivary haemoglobin level, dental biofilm acidogenicity, salivary flow rate and oral hygiene behaviours were assessed. For statistical analyses, chi‐squared test and step‐wise multiple linear regression were used.

Results

The multiple linear regression model, which included all related factors identified in the bivariate analyses, showed that older adults who had high salivary haemoglobin levels (P < .05), brushed their teeth using the horizontal scrub method (P< .001), and did not use an interproximal cleaning device (P < .01) were more likely to have fewer remaining teeth. However, dental biofilm acidogenicity was not associated with the number of remaining teeth.

Conclusion

The number of remaining teeth was associated with salivary haemoglobin level, appropriate toothbrushing technique and interdental cleaning. These findings suggest that the monitoring of salivary haemoglobin may contribute to the prevention of tooth loss caused by periodontal disease.