Factors associated with oral pain and oral health-related productivity loss in the USA, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2015–2018

Abstract

Background Our aim was to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with oral pain and oral health-related productivity loss among US adults. Methods We included adults aged ≥30 years who completed the dental examination, had at least one natural tooth, and provided an answer about their oral pain experience or oral health-related productivity loss in the 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES). We performed descriptive analyses and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses on weighted data. Results One out of four adults had oral pain and 4% reported oral health-related productivity loss occasionally or often within the last year of the survey. The odds of oral pain were higher among non-Hispanic black (OR = 1.35; 95%CI = 1.08–1.62) and non-Hispanic Asian individuals (OR = 1.38; 95%CI = 1.07–1.78) compared to non-Hispanic white individuals, and individuals with untreated dental caries (OR = 2.06; 95%CI = 1.72–2.47). The odds for oral health-related productivity loss were 13.85 times higher among individuals who reported oral pain (95%CI = 8.07–23.77), and 2.18 times higher among individuals with untreated dental caries (95%CI = 1.65–2.89). The odds of oral pain and reported oral health-related productivity loss decreased as family income increased. Conclusions Factors including non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity, lower socio-economic status, and untreated dental caries are associated with oral pain experience, which increases the odds of oral health-related productivity losses. Identifying factors associated with oral pain and productivity loss will enable clinicians, policymakers, and employers to proactively target and prioritize the higher-risk groups in early interventions and policies.

Genomic and phenotypic characterization of Streptococcus mutans isolates suggests key gene clusters in regulating its interaction with Streptococcus gordonii

“…Dental caries is a highly prevalent infectious bacterial disease, ranking first in prevalence among 328 diseases worldwide in 2016 (Vos et al, 2017). Dental caries can adversely impact the quality of life of affected patients, resulting in complications including pain and, in severe cases, tooth loss (Aldosari et al, 2021;Amarasena et al, 2021;Santos et al, 2021). Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is an essential cariogenic bacterium that metabolizes carbohydrates within the oral cavity and thereby lowers the local pH at the tooth surface (Loesche, 1986;OmerOglou et al, 2022).…”

Association between place of dental check-ups and work absenteeism among Japanese workers

“…This study implicates the usefulness of dental check‐ups as health promotion in the workplace. People with acute dental problems are more likely to be absent from work than those without, and absenteeism is especially high when they have oral cavity pain 20 . People with poor oral health are generally more likely to experience acute dental symptoms.…”

“…People with acute dental problems are more likely to be absent from work than those without, and absenteeism is especially high when they have oral cavity pain. 20 People with poor oral health are generally more likely to experience acute dental symptoms. Regular dental check‐ups provide the opportunity for early detection and treatment of dental diseases, which improves the oral health of the patients.…”

The Association Between Environmental Perchlorate, Nitrate, and Thiocyanate Exposure and Oral Pain in NHANES

“…Previous studies have found that the factors associated with OP included non-Hispanic Black, lower-income status ( 15 ), depression status ( 16 ), and long working hours ( 17 ). Our study added a new contribution that the thiocyanate exposure was associated with OP, while the perchlorate or nitrate exposure had no relationship with OP.…”