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Background: Tooth loss is a known marker of oral and systemic health, but large-scale population-based and cross-sectional multi-year comparative studies on tooth loss have yet to be much studied in China. This study explores the changing trends in tooth loss status and the associated factors influencing the prevalence of tooth loss over the past two decades in Guangdong, Southern China. Methods: Data from three cross-sectional, representative oral epidemiological surveys in Guangdong Province were analyzed, including 400 in 1995, 720 in 2005, and 288 in 2015, for a total of 1408 participants. Sample selection is based on the National Census of China published by the National Bureau of Statistics. In this study, each year, the number of missing teeth (MT) and the prevalence of tooth loss (MT > 0) were calculated. Basic demographic information, socioeconomic status, caries and periodontal status, personal lifestyle factors, and dental health care behaviors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to estimate their associations with tooth loss. Statistical significance was evaluated with 2-sided tests with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: This study found that the mean number of missing teeth and the prevalence of tooth loss among adults aged 35–44 years in Guangdong Province did not change significantly in the first decade (1995–2005) but decreased significantly in the second decade (2005–2015) (0.94 and 40.8% in 1995, 0.99 and 42.9% in 2005, and 0.63 and 33.3% in 2015, respectively). The mean number of MT by tooth position was highest for the first and second molars, and both were larger in the mandible than in the maxilla. In 1995, populations with low educational attainment and the presence of caries or periodontal pocket (periodontal probing depth ≥ 4 mm) were associated with a higher chance of MT > 0. In 2005, those with low educational attainment, the presence of caries, and 40–44 years old were associated with a higher chance of MT > 0. Moreover, in 2015, females, rural residents, and those with caries or periodontal pocket were associated with a higher chance of MT > 0. Conclusions: Although tooth retention has improved recently (2005–2015) and the preventive effect of education level on tooth loss has increased over time, efforts to prevent tooth loss in adults need to be strengthened. Particular attention should be given to preventive interventions for women, rural residents, and those suffering from caries or periodontal pocket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether an association between alcohol consumption and dental caries exists is still unclear. Chinese Baijiu is the most common alcohol consumed by middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals. This study aimed to assess the relationship between alcohol consumption (Chinese Baijiu) and dental caries in Guangdong Province, southern China.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangdong Province using a multistage, stratified, equal-sized, random sampling strategy. In total, 576 individuals aged 55-74 were recruited to fill out a questionnaire through face-to-face and one-on-one interviews and to undergo a series of dental examinations with a Community Periodontal Index (CPI) probe. According to the standard for clinical dentition examination of the WHO 2013 criteria, the presence of dental caries was determined by the DFT/DFRoot (decayed-filled tooth/root) index. The ratios of males to females and urban people to countrymen were both 1:1. Then, the chi-square test and rank-sum tests were used to compare the differences in caries between subgroups, and multivariate logistic regression analyses, as well as negative binomial regression analyses, were executed to identify the potential relationship between alcohol consumption and caries.Results: The prevalence of crown caries was 79.17% with a DFT index of 3.19, while that of root caries was 61.28% with a DFRoot index of 2.08. The prevalence and mean tooth of crown caries of females were higher than those of males. The prevalence and mean DFRoot of root caries in rural areas were higher than those in urban areas. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis and negative binomial regression analysis showed that there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the consumption frequency of Chinese Baijiu and caries (often vs. never/rarely, crown caries: odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26-1.13, P = 0.103, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44-0.92, P = 0.015; root caries: OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24-0.93, P = 0.030, IRR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32-0.54, P = 0.008).Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, frequent consumption of Chinese Baijiu was a protective factor for caries in middle-aged and elderly people in Guangdong Province. However, considering the harm of alcohol to one's general health, it is recommended to drink moderately and avoid alcohol abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]