Relationship Between Oral Health and Subjective Quality of Life in Middle-aged Individuals

Aim: Oral function declines with age, and previous studies have primarily focused on older adults. This study aimed to examine how oral health status and habits among older, middle-aged, and younger individuals relate to mental functions, health perceptions and subjective quality of life (QOL). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,332 individuals who underwent health assessments between November 2020 and January 2023. Associations between oral status, oral health habits, and subjective QOL were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Oral function and habits were compared across age groups, and logistic regression analysis was conducted on subjective QOL. This study received no funding. Results: Among participants, 1,287 (96.6%) had >20 teeth, 35 (2.6%) had 10–19 teeth, and 10 (0.8%) had <9 teeth. Subjective QOL differed significantly by age, body mass index, alcohol intake, physical activity, cohabitation, and masticatory ability. Comparison by age group revealed differences in occlusion, number of teeth, tartar, plaque, brushing frequency, and regular dental checkups. In the middle-aged group, individuals able to chew anything reported higher subjective QOL than those with chewing difficulty, specifically, those reporting “I sometimes have difficulty chewing” (OR 1.81) than those reporting “I can chew anything.” Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that health-related QOL is associated with masticatory ability in middle-aged and older individuals. Appropriate oral hygiene habits may enhance QOL, though the cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Additionally, reliance on self-reported measures may introduce bias. Longitudinal studies are necessary to verify these associations and explore temporal relationships.