Project. Milk and Oral Health (mælk og oral sundhed)

Aim. To investigate the effect of dairy products intake on general dental health status, particularly on the occurrence of periodontal disease among adults and elderly in Denmark.

Methods. The project utilizes data from the Danish MONICA (Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) study and Copenhagen Oral Health Senior Study (COHSS)

MONICA:is a prospective study from 1982–83 to 1993–94 (11 year of follow-up). The Danish data on oral health include information on dental hygiene and a clinical examination, and bacterial sampling on a subpopulation. The study population includes 1602 adults (30–60 y) with information on dietary calcium intake and number of teeth and a subset of 511 participants with information on tooth loss from 1987–88 to 1993–94 (6 years follow-up).

COHSS: is a cross-sectional study based on a random selection of participants in the 4th Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS). The CCHS is a prospective study, which started in 1975. The study population includes 735 people aged 65+ years. Data include an extensive clinical examination of oral health, saliva sampling, and oral microorganisms, and a comprehensive diet history interview. Furthermore, information on diet from a simple food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is available from the earlier waves of CCHS.

Results.
MONICA: Low calcium intake was associated with low number of teeth (1–25 vs. 26–32 teeth) in males [odds ratio (OR) = 1.57 (95% CI = 1.10–2.29)] and females [OR = 1.44 (95% CI = 1.10–2.05)] after adjustment for age, education, smoking, alcohol and sucrose consumption, subjective oral dryness, and time since last dental care visit. The reference group (26–32 teeth) and edentulous participants did not significantly differ. A calcium intake below recommendations was significantly associated with increased risk of subsequent tooth loss in males [incidence rate ratio = 1.70 (95% CI = 1.15–2.48)]. There was no association in women.

COHSS: no preliminary analysis has been performed yet.

Conclusion. Given the high percentage of individuals with calcium intake below recommendations, consumption of foods rich in calcium (e.g. dairy products) should be promoted to preserve oral health

Funding. This study was funded by the Mejeribrugets ForskningsFond and the Copenhagen Capital Region.

Conflicts of interest. none.

Research team: Amanda R Amorim Adegboye & Berit L. Heitmann
Collaboration with: School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen
Contact person:  Amanda R Amorim Adegboye

Publications.

• Adegboye AR, Fiehn NE, Twetman S, Christensen LB, Heitmann BL. Low calcium intake is related to increased risk of tooth loss in men. J Nutr. 2010 Aug 25. [Epub ahead of print]
• Adegboye AR, Fiehn NE, Twetman S, Christensen LB, Heitmann BL. Lav calciumindtagelse er relateret til forøget risiko for tandtab. Tandlægebladet 2010 nr. 12; 955 (Danish abstract)