An analysis of medical records from 1,765 older adults shows that patients with at least 21 teeth were more likely to maintain a healthy body weight than patients with fewer teeth, according to a Rutgers Health study. Each additional missing tooth correlated with a 2 percent increase in the likelihood of obesity, and each missing pair of opposing molars correlated with a 7 percent increase in the likelihood of obesity.
“Many healthy foods, particularly raw fruits and vegetables, are hard to eat when you lack a functional dentition,” said Rena Zelig, lead author of the study published in Gerodontology. “One possible explanation is that when people, especially older adults, are missing teeth and experience difficulty chewing, they start eating foods that are easier to eat but less healthy, like mashed potatoes, cookies, or doughnuts. These foods are typically higher in calories, fat, and sugar, resulting in weight gain.”
“Dentists might be able to reduce the problem by educating patients on how to adapt healthier foods to make them easier to eat, by peeling, cutting, cooking, or blending them. Vegetables can be added to a soup or stew, and fruit can be added to a smoothie or a parfait,” added Zelig, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Health Professions.
The researchers examined data from 1,765 adults ages 65 to 89 who underwent treatment at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine between 2016 and 2022. To analyze the relationship between the number of teeth and body mass index (BMI), they used statistical methods that adjusted for other factors that could affect BMI, such as age, gender, and existing health conditions. To read the full story.