# Oral hygiene practices and oral health outcomes among older adults in China

## TL;DR

This study shows that regular toothbrushing, flossing, and dental visits improve oral health in older Chinese adults.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific oral hygiene behaviors linked to better oral health outcomes in older Chinese adults.

## Key findings

- Twice-daily toothbrushing and fluoride toothpaste use reduce dental caries and periodontitis.
- Bass or circular brushing reduces periodontitis risk.
- Flossing and dental checkups reduce tooth loss and other oral issues.

## Abstract

Oral health in older adults is crucial to overall well-being. The high prevalence of dental caries, periodontitis, and tooth loss in older adults Chinese people, together with limited preventative care, highlights the need to investigate oral hygiene behaviors and their effects on oral health.

To retrospectively evaluate oral hygiene behaviors and their associations with oral health outcomes among older and elder adults in China.

A retrospective observational study was undertaken on 500 patients aged ≥60 years utilizing hospital data. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, dental hygiene, and oral health outcomes were collected. After adjusting for covariates, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine oral hygiene behaviors and oral health outcomes.

The average age of participants was 72.4 ± 7.6 years, with 56% female. Most individuals brushed twice daily (66%), used fluoride toothpaste (80%), and had infrequent dental appointments (56% had not seen a dentist in a year). Dental caries, periodontitis, and tooth loss affected 44, 36, and 40% of subjects, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that twice-daily toothbrushing and the use of fluoride toothpaste were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dental caries and periodontitis. Bass or circular brushing was associated with a reduced risk of periodontitis (adjusted OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41–0.97). Dental floss, regular dental checkups, and daily mouthwash were associated with reduced tooth loss, gingival bleeding, and halitosis.

Chinese seniors who practiced regular toothbrushing, flossing, and dental visits had better oral health, highlighting the need for improved oral health education and greater emphasis on flossing to support overall oral health in this population.