Association between Dental Treatment, Quality of Life, and Activity Limitation According to Masticatory Discomfort: Evidence from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015)

Abstract

People with masticatory discomfort are unable to consume a balanced diet, which impacts their general health. We studied the relationship between quality of life and dental care associated with masticatory discomfort. Data from Korea’s representative 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used. Complex sampling analysis with the stratification variable, clustering variable, and weight was applied. Demographic and dental treatment characteristics and activity limitations were compared through chi-square tests. The comparison of quality of life according to masticatory discomfort was performed using linear regression. The risk of masticatory discomfort was high in people who did not undergo regular oral examinations and preventive and definitive caries treatment and in those who received periodontal, surgical, endodontic, or prosthetic treatments. Generally, people with masticatory discomfort engaged in less activity owing to other disorders like arthritis, rheumatism, and back, neck, and oral disease. People with masticatory discomfort scored low on quality of life. People who received regular oral examinations and preventive care had a low level of masticatory discomfort, and the treated persons had high masticatory discomfort. Therefore, in order to reduce masticatory discomfort, more diverse and active care should be provided for prevention, specifically regular oral examinations.

Factors related to masticatory performance in junior and senior high school students and young adults: A cross-sectional study

“…In previous studies with children, the masticatory performance of normal-weight children was higher than that of overweight/obese children in the 8-12-year-old group [1], and children with caries-free permanent first molars had higher masticatory performance than children with caries in the 12-14-year-old group [2]. In a study with participants of various age groups, from 12 to more than 60 years, participants with subjective masticatory discomfort had low quality of life scores [3]. Low masticatory performance was associated with decreased intake of certain nutrients in Japanese male workers [4], an increased risk of diabetes among 40-74-year-olds, and carotid intima-media thickness progression among 50-79-yearolds [5,6].…”

Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Masseter Muscle Thickness and Maximal Bite Force among Healthy Community-Dwelling Persons Aged 65 Years and Older: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

“…Masticatory muscles are primarily responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food and forming the bolus during the oral phase of the swallowing process [4]. In addition, muscle contraction aids saliva secretion inside the oral cavity through irritation of the parotid gland and mixing of food to make swallowing more efficient [5,6].…”