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Social stratification, oral hygiene, and trajectories of dental caries among old Americans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Liang, J; Wu, B; Plassman, B; Bennett, JM; Beck, J
Published in: J Aging Health
September 2014

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed how oral hygiene (i.e., brushing, rinsing, and flossing) influences the trajectories of dental caries (i.e., numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth) among older Americans within the context of social stratification. METHOD: Data came from Piedmont Dental Study that involved a sample of 810 older Americans who were dentate in 1988 with up to four repeated observations through 1994. Hierarchical linear models were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Brushing, flossing, and rinsing were associated with the trajectories of dental caries in distinct ways. In addition, oral hygiene was correlated with race, education, household income, and use of dental care. The effects of brushing and flossing on decayed and missing teeth remained robust, even when socio-demographic and health attributes were controlled. Conversely, socioeconomic disparities in dental caries persisted, when oral hygiene was adjusted. DISCUSSION: Both social stratification and oral hygiene need to be considered in promoting oral health.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Aging Health

DOI

EISSN

1552-6887

Publication Date

September 2014

Volume

26

Issue

6

Start / End Page

900 / 923

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Toothbrushing
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Oral Hygiene
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Gerontology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Liang, J., Wu, B., Plassman, B., Bennett, J. M., & Beck, J. (2014). Social stratification, oral hygiene, and trajectories of dental caries among old Americans. J Aging Health, 26(6), 900–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264314534891
Liang, Jersey, Bei Wu, Brenda Plassman, Joan M. Bennett, and Jim Beck. “Social stratification, oral hygiene, and trajectories of dental caries among old Americans.J Aging Health 26, no. 6 (September 2014): 900–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264314534891.
Liang J, Wu B, Plassman B, Bennett JM, Beck J. Social stratification, oral hygiene, and trajectories of dental caries among old Americans. J Aging Health. 2014 Sep;26(6):900–23.
Liang, Jersey, et al. “Social stratification, oral hygiene, and trajectories of dental caries among old Americans.J Aging Health, vol. 26, no. 6, Sept. 2014, pp. 900–23. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/0898264314534891.
Liang J, Wu B, Plassman B, Bennett JM, Beck J. Social stratification, oral hygiene, and trajectories of dental caries among old Americans. J Aging Health. 2014 Sep;26(6):900–923.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Aging Health

DOI

EISSN

1552-6887

Publication Date

September 2014

Volume

26

Issue

6

Start / End Page

900 / 923

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Toothbrushing
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Oral Hygiene
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Gerontology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female