Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between the number of remaining teeth and mental health indicators among adults in local communities in South Korea Methods: Among the data from the 7th (2016) and (2018) National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 4,324 adults aged ≥50 years who responded to the oral examination and PHQ-9 were examined for relevance with some mental health indicators based on the classification of remaining teeth. Statistical analysis with complex sample analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows (ver. 18.0; SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Mental health indicators, based on the classification of the number of remaining teeth, were analyzed using the chi-square test (χ2 test) and multiple logistic regression analysis, and the statistical significance level (α) was 0.05. Results: Regarding the association with mental health indicators, the group with 11-20 remaining teeth had a 1.60 times higher risk of “high depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥10 points)” and a 2.03 times higher risk of having a suicide plan than the group with 20 over remaining teeth. Conclusions: Supporting oral and mental health through a policy approach to education and examination of oral health management by life cycle, considering physical characteristics after middle age, is necessary.
