Clin Exp Dent Res. 2026 Jun;12(3):e70371. doi: 10.1002/cre2.70371.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The relationship between tooth loss and glycemic control status in diabetes is inconclusive.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using data from the 2014-2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2146 adults with diabetes aged ≥ 40 years were categorized by number of remaining teeth (0-19, 20-27, and ≥ 28). Uncontrolled diabetes and poorer glycemic control were defined as HbA1c ≥ 6.5% and ≥ 7.0%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models calculated the odds ratio (OR) for uncontrolled diabetes and poorer glycemic control according to the number of remaining teeth.
RESULTS: No significant association was observed in men. In women, fewer remaining teeth were associated with higher odds of uncontrolled diabetes (per 1-tooth increase OR 0.961, 95% CI 0.937-0.986; p = 0.002), and compared with ≥ 28 teeth, OR were higher in the 0-19 teeth (OR 2.500, 95% CI 1.535-4.074) and the 20-27 teeth (OR 1.679, 95% CI 1.073-2.629) (all p = 0.002). Furthermore, among women, the associations persisted in both 40-59 years (per 1-tooth increase OR 0.878, 95% CI 0.780-0.988; p = 0.030) and ≥ 60 years (per 1-tooth increase OR 0.965, 95% CI 0.939-0.992; p = 0.011). Among women aged ≥ 60 years, those with 0-19 teeth had higher odds of uncontrolled diabetes (OR 1.994, 95% CI 1.041-3.818; p = 0.029) and poorer glycemic control (OR 2.498, 95% CI 1.321-4.723; p = 0.008) compared with those with ≥ 28 teeth.
CONCLUSIONS: Fewer remaining teeth were associated with poorer glycemic control among women with diabetes, independent of periodontitis. This association was most pronounced in women aged ≥ 60 years. Large cohort studies are warranted to clarify causality and to evaluate the roles of periodontitis and dental caries in this relationship.
PMID:42143765 | DOI:10.1002/cre2.70371
