Oral or dental health problems frequently encountered in children with obesity, finds study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of obesity and overweight on the oral/dental health and blood biochemistry parameters in children. A total of 87 children (29 boys, 58 girls) aged 1-18 presenting to our paediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic were included in the study. The patient group consisted of children with obesity/overweight and the control group consisted of children with normal weight. Paediatric patients were examined simultaneously by a paediatrician and a paediatric dentist. Oral/dental health examinations of all children included in the study were performed by a specialist paediatric dentist and dmft/DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) values were calculated separately in the mixed dentition period. The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs 23 index and the dental plaque 35 index were evaluated at oral/dental health examinations. Oral and dental health examination findings and blood biochemistry parameters were compared between the two groups. Results While DMFT, dental plaque index, blood c-reactive protein (CRP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly increased in children with overweight/obesity compared to children with normal weight, there was no difference in terms of daily toothbrushing habits and last dental examination times. Overweight/obesity was found to be associated with the dental plaque and DMFT/dmft index, and elevation in the blood biochemistry parameters c-reactive protein and PTH among the children in this study. The observation of significant elevation in DMFT and dental plaque indices and numbers of filled deciduous teeth showed that oral/dental health problems and dental decay may emerge more frequently in children with overweight/obesity. Children with overweight should be routinely provided with dental care as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes paediatricians and dentists.

Reference:

Arzu Yoldaş, M., Vural Yılmazel, S., Bolu, S. et al. The relationship between blood biochemical parameters and oral health in children with obesity/overweight. Br Dent J 235, 968–972 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6593-z

Keywords

Oral, dental, health, problems, frequently, encountered, children, obesity, Arzu Yoldaş, M., Vural Yılmazel, S., Bolu, S, British Dental Journal