Association between Obesity and Dental Health in a Group of Egyptian Elementary School Children

Abstract

Obesity and dental caries are major public health concerns, and their etiological factors are intricately linked to dietary habits and are correlated with certain sociodemographic characteristics of individuals presenting these diseases. Analysis of some risk factors of dental caries and gingival health like Streptococcus mutans in saliva of obese and normal weight children was a useful factor in determination of their association. Increased calorie intake associated with sugars and carbohydrates, especially when associated with physical inactivity has serious implications for childhood obesity and may considered as a risk factor for oral health. Oral health problems associated with obesity was our concern in this research. Dietary pattern and Anthropometric measurements were used for assessment of obesity and their effect on the teeth and gingival health were assessed by recording DMFS & defs, modified gingival index and count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva. One hundred and twenty children were included in this research and grouped in two groups according to their weight; into 86 obese, overweight children and normal weight children. For All children medical history, anthropometric measurements for calculate BMI z-score for children 6-12 years and BMI for age for children more than 12 years old, 24-hours recall method and dietary pattern food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment, examination of teeth and gingiva, and collection of unstimulated whole saliva specimens for counting Streptococcus mutans were done. The results clarified that there was no correlation between obesity and dental caries in regard of the relation of deft, DMFT, and BMI. While there were statistical significant correlation between MGI & BMI, carbohydrates & calcium and dental caries among obese children. In comparison of Streptococcus mutans count of normalweight and obese children, there was statistical significant difference in count of (SM) in obese children than normal-weight children.