Table 2 Univariate analysis to screen covariates associated with dental caries in children and adolescents

Age

 <12

Ref

 ≥12

1.87 (1.44–2.43)

< 0.001

Gender

 Male

Ref

 Female

0.91 (0.76–1.08)

0.270

Race

 Non-Hispanic White

Ref

 Non-Hispanic Black

1.21 (0.90–1.61)

0.197

 Others

1.71 (1.38–2.11)

< 0.001

PIR

 <1.0

Ref

 ≥1.0

0.54 (0.44–0.66)

< 0.001

Household food security category

 Full food security

Ref

 Marginal food security

1.61 (1.21–2.13)

0.002

 Low food security

1.93 (1.48–2.52)

< 0.001

 Very low food security

1.79 (1.31–2.44)

< 0.001

Obesity

 No

Ref

 Yes

1.28 (1.10–1.49)

0.002

Birth weight

 <5.5

Ref

 5.5-9.0

1.01 (0.83–1.22)

0.920

 ≥9.0

1.22 (0.76–1.96)

0.408

Smoking during pregnant

 No

Ref

 Yes

1.51 (1.15–1.98)

0.004

Cotinine

 ≤0.05

Ref

 >0.05

1.19 (0.97–1.46)

0.097

 Unknown

0.51 (0.40–0.65)

< 0.001

Total energy intake

1.01 (1.01–1.01)

< 0.001

Total sugar intake

1.01 (1.01–1.01)

0.002

VD

0.99 (0.98–1.01)

0.425

Fiber intake

1.01 (1.00-1.02)

0.133

Frequency of tooth brushing

 <2

Ref

 ≥2

0.97 (0.76–1.25)

0.837

Amount of toothpaste use

 <half load

Ref

 ≥half load

1.43 (1.22–1.67)

< 0.001

Time period since last dental visit

 <1

Ref

 1–2

1.04 (0.83–1.32)

0.715

 ≥2

0.32 (0.24–0.43)

< 0.001