Lifestyle Changes Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic Increase Oral Disease Symptoms

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to severe restrictions on society worldwide, and social restrictions can lead to poor physical and oral health. This study investigated the association between oral disease symptoms and changes in lifestyle due to COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze data from the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 54 848). It showed that most households' economic conditions as "did not change at all" (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.00), "no change" (aOR = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.04, 1.17]), "slightly worsened" (aOR = 1.21, 95% CI = [1.14, 1.28]), and "very worsened" (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = [1.12, 1.37]). Information in a with "did not change at all" (aOR = 1.00), "no change" (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI = [1.07, 1.20]), "slightly worsened" (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI = [1.08, 1.24]), and "very worsened" (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = [1.06, 1.30]) economic conditions experienced heightened gingival pain and bleeding. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a change in lifestyle and worsened socioeconomic status. In addition, as lifestyle changed and socioeconomic status declined, symptoms of deteriorating dental health emerged.