International Journal of Dentistry Research 2025; 10(3): 130-136 DOI:10.31254/dentistry.2025.10312

Research Article

Dental Pain and Self-Rated General Health Among Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of NHANES 2017-2018

Edmond Kubi Appiah¹ , Joseph Nimako-Boateng²

Edmond Kubi Appiah,Joseph Nimako-Boateng

1. Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
2. University of Ghana Dental School, Accra, Ghana

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 21st September, 2025 / Revised: 1st January, 1970 / Accepted: 17th December, 2025 / Published : 17th January, 2026

Abstract

Background: Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being, yet the association between specific oral symptoms like mouth pain and general health status is not fully characterized in a nationally representative population. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-reported mouth pain and general health status among US adults using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 4,110 adults aged 30 years and older. The exposure was the frequency of mouth pain (often, occasionally, hardly ever, never). The outcome was self-reported general health status (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor). Multivariable cumulative logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for the cumulative odds of reporting poorer health. Model 1 was unadjusted; Model 2 adjusted for sociodemographic factors (age, gender, race/ethnicity, income); and Model 3 further adjusted for health behaviors and conditions (smoking status, diabetes status, time since last dental visit, and depression). Results: In the unadjusted model (Model 1), reporting mouth pain "hardly ever" (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.47-0.78) or "never" (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50-0.82) was associated with significantly lower odds of poorer health compared to "often." This association was attenuated but remained significant after adjusting for sociodemographic factors in Model 2. After full adjustment in Model 3, the relationship was no longer statistically significant for any frequency of mouth pain (e.g., "never" vs. "often": aOR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.75-1.12). Other factors, including depression (aOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.48-0.67), diabetes, race/ethnicity, and income, were stronger independent predictors of poorer health status. Conclusion: The observed association between mouth pain and poorer general health status appears to be largely confounded by sociodemographic factors, comorbidities (particularly depression and diabetes), and health behaviors. These findings highlight the interplay between oral health and overall health and suggest that mouth pain may be a marker of broader health challenges rather than an independent driver of poor health status.