A Correlation Study of the Body Mass Index and the Indicators of Oral Health

Abstract

Objectives: We aim to observe the relation of body mass index (BMI) and the indicators of oral health. Methods: 400 subjects participated in the study. The BMI values are calculated from the height and weight. For the tongue diagnosis, we used the tongue imaging device to analyze the color, tongue coating, and tooth marks. We measured the concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and methyl mercaptan (CH 3 SH) to evaluate the halitosis. The dry mouth was evaluated through the measurement of saliva secretion and with the questionnaire asking the frequency of dry mouth. Results: The BMI values were significantly higher in the group with light-white and blue-purple colored tongue, and significantly lower for lightly-coated tongue. However, the correlation of BMI and the amounts of saliva secretion was not significant as well as in the correlation of BMI and the concentration of H 2 S, CH 3 SH. In tongue diagnosis, the subjects who had blue-purple colored tongue also had significantly higher H 2 S and CH 3 SH, but tendency of lower saliva secretion. Conclusion:We obtain data showing that BMI value and the indicators of oral health including tongue diagnosis have meaningful correlation.