Tooth Loss, Denture Use and Malnutrition in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey ( CLHLS )

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations among tooth loss, denture use and malnutrition in Chinese older adults, and to identify malnutrition risk factors by dentition status. BACKGROUND: Malnutrition affects 7.7% of older adults in China and is associated with tooth loss, which impairs chewing. Dentures are commonly used to mitigate this, but their influence on malnutrition remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 13,234 individuals aged 60 and older from the 8th wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) was conducted. Data on tooth loss, denture use, malnutrition and socio-demographic factors were collected. Modified Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted. RESULTS: Malnutrition was more common among partially dentate older women without dentures (APR 1.75, 95% CI 1.29-2.37), and those with edentulism, both with dentures (APR 1.61, 95% CI 1.18-2.20) and without dentures (APR 1.93, 95% CI 1.41-2.64). Denture use was associated with a lower malnutrition risk in partially dentate (APR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.91) and edentulous older adults (APR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Denture use is associated with a lower malnutrition risk, especially in women, though it may not fully restore nutritional status. Strategies to prevent tooth loss and promote denture use are vital for reducing malnutrition in older adults.