Tooth loss as a factor associated with deterioration of quality and increase in sleep duration: analysis of the 2016–2017 Chilean National Health Survey

BACKGROUND: Tooth loss has been associated with various systemic diseases, but its relationship with sleep disturbances remains understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the association between tooth loss and sleep quantity and quality parameters in Chilean adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis utilised data from the 2016-2017 Chilean National Health Survey (n = 5,009). Tooth loss was categorized as functional dentition (≥ 20 teeth), moderate tooth loss (10-19 teeth), severe tooth loss (1-9 teeth), and edentulism (0 teeth). Sleep quantity was classified as insufficient (< 7 h), adequate (7-8 h), or excessive (> 8 h). Sleep quality was assessed through four questions addressing snoring frequency, breathing pauses, daytime sleepiness, and morning tiredness. Multinomial logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related covariates. RESULTS: The association between edentulism and excessive sleep duration was significant in unadjusted models (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.48-2.56) but attenuated after full adjustment (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.94-1.94). Edentulous individuals showed higher odds of snoring (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.29-2.20) and daytime sleepiness (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.17) compared to those with functional dentition. Also, severe tooth loss was associated with increased snoring (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10-1.75) and daytime difficulty staying awake (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.61). CONCLUSIONS: The findings reveal that individuals with severe tooth loss and edentulism are more likely to experience excessive sleep, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, while having a lower likelihood of deficient sleep.