Abstract

BRAGA, Ana Paula Gasparini; BARRETO, Sandhi Maria  and  MARTINS, Andréa Maria Eleutério de Barros Lima. Poor self-rated mastication and associated factors in Brazilian adults. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.5, pp. 889-904. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2012000500008.

This study estimated the prevalence of bad/very bad self-rated mastication and investigated associated factors among Brazilian adults. The sample included 13,431 adults examined and interviewed in the SBBrazil project. Self-rated mastication was combined in three categories: good/ very good (the reference), fair, and bad/very bad. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to measure the association between fair and bad/very bad self-rated mastication and all independent variables included in the analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05. 55.6% of participants rated their mastication as good/very good, 24.9% as fair, and 19.5% as bad/very bad. In the final multivariate analysis, factors associated with bad or fair self-rated mastication were: receiving no information on how to avoid oral problems; presenting fewer than 23 remaining teeth; requiring total or partial prosthesis; bad/very bad self-rated oral health; gingival pain and/or toothache in the previous year; and need of dental treatment. In conclusion, various factors were associated with self-rated mastication, especially subjective conditions, thus emphasizing its importance as an oral health indicator.

Keywords : Mastication; Oral Health; Adult.