Association between alcohol consumption on root caries prevalence in Hispanic adults
Date
2025
DOI
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Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between alcohol consumption and root caries among Hispanic adults in the United States. METHODS: Data drawn from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) included 1,027 Hispanic individuals aged 50+ who completed alcohol surveys and underwent a dental examination. Alcohol consumption was based on the number of drinks participants had over the last twelve months, and (0 drinks/year), mild (1-59 drinks/year up to 75th percentile), moderate-heavy (>= 60 drinks/year 75th+ percentile), based on the distribution of self-reported survey data in the population. Root caries status was defined as the presence of at least one root caries. Covariates included age, gender, income-to-poverty ratio, smoking status, and last visit to the dentist. Descriptive statistics were created, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were performed after adjusting for NHANES' complex sampling design.
RESULTS: Moderate to heavy drinkers had 57% lower odds of root caries compared to non-drinkers, and mild drinkers had 33% lower odds. Mexican-Americans had a 142% higher odds than other Hispanics. Participants aged 64+ had a 152% higher odds of having root caries compared to those aged 50-63. Current smokers had a 250% higher odds than non-smokers. Visiting the dentist within the last year had a reduction of 75% lower odds compared to visiting five or more years ago.
CONCLUSION: Alcohol use appeared protected against root caries; however, causality cannot be inferred from cross-sectional data. Alcohol use should be examined as a life course exposure, considering patterns and intensity over time. Future research should focus on marginalized Hispanic subgroups, whose oral health and alcohol use may be shaped by unique social and structural determinants.
Description
2025