Association between Dental Caries and Handgrip Strength: In a Population-Based Study in Korea (KNHANES 2016-2018)

This study aimed to verify the relationship between handgrip strength and oral health using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, representing Korean adults. Data from the seventh survey (2016-2018) conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were utilized, and 10,607 final study participants were recruited according to the selection and exclusion criteria. A complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between handgrip strength and dental caries according to the sex of the study participants. On analyzing the correlation in men, "C1 (DMFT: 11-32)," when compared to "C4 (DMFT: 0-3)," in Model 1 without adjustment for potential confounders, was 2.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15-3.97) times more likely to be associated with lower handgrip strength, and a statistically significant result was detected (p < 0.001). Additionally, significant odds ratios (ORs) were confirmed for all adjusted models. In women, the ORs in Model 1 without adjustment for potential confounders were 1.41 times (95% CI: 1.14-1.75) and demonstrated a significant result; however, the results were not significant in all adjusted models 2-4. Resultantly, a significant association was detected between dental caries and handgrip strength in Korean adults.