Examining the Correlation Between Dental Caries and Chewing Proficiency in Pediatric Populations: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Utilizing Color-Changeable Chewing Gum

Aim: This study investigates the correlation between caries status and chewing performance among Indonesian children aged 6–8 years, utilizing color-changeable chewing gum as a novel assessment tool. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 69 children aged 6 to 8 years, recruited through multistage random sampling in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Caries status was assessed using the permanent decay missing filling-teeth (DMF-T) index, while masticatory ability was evaluated using a 5-point color scale. Participants chewed color-changeable chewing gum for one minute at a rate of one stroke per second, after which the results were visually interpreted based on the 5-point scale. Participants were children with deciduous and/or permanent teeth, whose parents provided informed consent. Children with cognitive impairments, severe medical conditions, or food allergies were excluded. To ensure robust results, 69 children were included. Data analysis involved chi-square, independent t tests, and binary logistic regression to identify significant predictors of chewing performance. Results: Severe dental caries significantly impaired chewing ability (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.71–0.99). Despite most children brushing twice daily (62.3%), inappropriate timing was common (84.1%). The prevalence of dental caries was notably high, with an average of 7.48 decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMF-T/dmf-t) per child. This included 7.04 affected teeth in the deciduous dentition and 0.44 in the permanent dentition. More than half of the participants exhibited poor masticatory performance. Heatmaps illustrated significant correlations between poor chewing ability and caries severity but no significant association with sociodemographic factors, body mass index, or toothbrushing habits. Logistic regression revealed caries status as a critical determinant of masticatory performance. Conclusion: Severe caries adversely affect chewing performance, potentially impacting children’s nutrition and growth. Limited oral health literacy and parental dental anxiety may further contribute to delayed dental treatment and caries progression. Preventive measures, routine dental screenings, and oral health literacy programs are recommended to address this critical public health issue.