Tobacco smoking, a factor in tooth loss in Reykjavík, Iceland.

A random sample of 1023 people 52-79 yr of age out of a group participating in a longitudinal study at the Heart Preventive Clinic of the Icelandic Heart Association in Reykjavík, Iceland, was examined. The examination was carried out in 1985-7. The results on the number of remaining teeth and total edentulousness were compared to information regarding smoking habits and social status. Total edentulousness was more common among women. Total and partial edentulousness was more frequent in the lower "employment" classes while no statistical difference was found for smoking in this respect. This, however, did not affect the significance of tobacco smoking as a factor in the loss of teeth. In general smokers had fewer remaining teeth and were more often edentulous than ex-smokers, smoking time not considered, who again suffered more tooth loss than those who had never smoked. Therefore it is concluded that tobacco smoking may be a major single independent risk factor in the loss of teeth.