Association of Tooth Loss With Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Korean Adults: An Analysis Using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI) (2013, 2015).

Objective: To examine the association between tooth loss and depressive symptoms in the Korean population using nationally representative data.

Background: Tooth loss negatively impacts oral function, aesthetics, and overall quality of life. It can lead to systemic issues, such as nutritional deficiencies, and is associated with mental health problems, including depressive symptoms. While the relationship between tooth loss and depressive symptoms has been explored in Western populations, research focusing on Asian populations, particularly Koreans, remains limited.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study utilised data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), including 9,166 adults aged 30 years and older. The primary variable was the number of remaining natural teeth, categorised as fewer than 12 or more. Stress and depressive symptoms were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between tooth loss and depressive symptoms after adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioural and health-related factors.

Results: Among the 9166 participants, 946 had fewer than 12 remaining natural teeth, and the remainder had 12 or more. Participants with fewer than 12 teeth showed significantly higher adjusted odds of experiencing depressive symptoms (aOR, adjusted odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, confidence interval, 1.12-1.87) and stress (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.04-1.74) than those with more teeth. These associations were particularly pronounced among women, older adults (≥ 65 years), and individuals requiring dentures.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between having fewer remaining teeth and higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms, emphasising the importance of oral health in mental well-being. The relationship was particularly evident among women, younger adults and those with unmet prosthetic needs. These findings highlight the need to incorporate oral health considerations into public mental health strategies targeting high-risk populations.