Abstract
The effect of severely compromised teeth on masticatory function has not been properly evaluated in previous studies, as they were often considered equivalent to the healthy tooth or excluded as if absent in the dentition. Hopeless teeth, which refer to non-salvageable teeth that require extraction, can interfere with masticatory function. As posterior occlusion is directly related to the masticatory function, we evaluated pairs opposing posterior teeth (POPs) that reflect the arrangement as well as the number of remaining posterior teeth. This study investigated the relationship of a hopeless tooth to handgrip strength according to POPs in the elderly. This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Among the data of 23,466 participants from 2015 to 2018, participants aged 60 years or older (n = 4,729) were included. In males with POPs scores of 0–7, considered poor posterior occlusion, the association with low handgrip strength persisted in the multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for all confounding variables. The odds ratio (OR) in the absence of hopeless teeth (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.02–3.59) increased in the presence of a hopeless tooth (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.42–5.47). Even with POPs scores of 8–11, considered good posterior occlusion, the association was significantly high in the presence of a hopeless tooth (OR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.06–7.52). In females, the association disappeared in adjusted models. The fewer pairs of natural posterior teeth with occlusion, the greater the risk of low handgrip strength. Dentition containing hopeless teeth increases the risk of low handgrip strength, even in dentition with sufficient posterior occlusion. Preserving the posterior teeth in a healthy condition through personal oral hygiene and regular dental management is essential for maintaining components of physical function such as handgrip strength.
Highlights
The elderly population is increasing in many countries, and by 2050, the number of people aged 60 or older is expected to account for more than 20 percent of the world’s population [1]
The distribution of high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was higher with low handgrip strength than normal handgrip strength, and the distribution was highest for non-smokers in the normal and low handgrip strength groups, in females
We showed that the presence of hopeless teeth and less posterior occlusion were associated with low handgrip strength in this study
Summary
The elderly population is increasing in many countries, and by 2050, the number of people aged 60 or older is expected to account for more than 20 percent of the world’s population [1]. There has been a growing interest in the concept of frailty. This is an age-related syndrome that increases sensitivity to stressors physiologically, functionally, and mentally, causing adverse health outcomes [4,5]. Handgrip strength is one of the objective indicators used to screen for frailty and sarcopenia [2,7], and has been added to the key diagnostic characteristics for sarcopenia [7]. Previous studies have suggested that low handgrip strength can be a clinical marker for weakened physical function and poor mental health, and can predict all-cause mortality [8]
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