Women's teeth. A cross-sectional and longitudinal study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden, with special reference to tooth loss and restorations.

A population study comprising a representative sample of women in five age strata between 38 and 60 was carried out in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1968-69. Altogether 1418 women participated in the dental part of the study (87.4% of those sampled). The women were re-examined in 1980-81. A new group of 38-year-old women was invited in 1980-81. In this way cross-sectional comparisons could be made between women who were 38 and 50 years of age at the time of the two studies in 1968-69 and 1980-81 respectively. In addition, those who participated in both investigations could be studied longitudinally. Panoramic radiography was used to evaluate different dental health variables, for which the technique was found as valid as the more extensive intraoral full mouth radiographic examination. An improvement in dental health in terms of a decrease in tooth loss occurred over the twelve-year period. There was, among middle-aged and older women, no sign of a decrease in the proportion of restored teeth during the same period. A decrease in the differences between social groups had occurred, although differences in number of remaining teeth between women of various educational and socio-economic background to some extent still existed. Social factors seemed, however, to be of minor importance as discriminating factor for tooth loss during the follow-up period. The effect of smoking was also studied. Smoking seemed to be an important actor influencing tooth loss. An association between a low number of remaining teeth and impaired well-being was noted. Presence of amalgam fillings did not, on the population level, play any demonstrable role for impaired well-being among the women.