We aimed to investigate the relationship between bone mineral density and dental caries in adults of over 19 years of age who were categorized according to their sex and menopausal status. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) dataset was used for the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) and oral health examination data were collected between 2008 and 2011. A total of 17,141 adults of ≥19 years old were eligible for inclusion in the present study. Multiple regression analysis was performed after adjustment for age, household income, educational level, smoking status, and alcohol drinking status for men, and pre- and post-menopausal women. In men, the β-value for the mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was 0.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.71−1.25), and was significantly higher in osteoporotic participants than in participants with normal BMD (p < 0.05). In post-menopausal women, the β-value for the mean DMFT index was 0.86, and was higher in the osteoporotic participants than in the participants with normal BMD (p < 0.05). Men and post-menopausal women with osteoporosis had higher DMFT indexes than those with normal BMD. In addition, there was a correlation between DMFT index and BMD in men and post-menopausal women. Therefore, the prevention of osteoporosis should be implemented alongside proper oral care.
Keywords: bone density; decayed, missing, and filled teeth index; dental caries; osteoporosis.