Overweight/obese children are associated with lower caries experience than normal‐weight children/adolescents

Abstract

Aim To compare (a) enamel carious (EC) and dentin carious (DC) lesions and (b) caries risk, between normal‐weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW) children/adolescents. Design In this cross‐sectional study, 91 participants aged 6‐12 years were classified according to the body mass index (BMI): NW (n = 50) and OW (n = 41). Caries experience was evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) with two thresholds: “EC/DC” (ICDAS 1‐3/4‐6) and “DC” (ICDAS 4‐6). Caries risk was determined by the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) system. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association among OW, caries thresholds, and caries risk. Results Caries experience was similar for both groups at the “EC/DC” threshold (P = .477) and higher for the NW group at the “DC” threshold (P = .009). For CAMBRA, caries risk classification was similar for both groups (P = .082). The logistic regression showed the OW group was less likely to exhibit radiographically visible proximal carious lesions (odds ratio [OR] of 0.330, P = .019), thick biofilm visible on the tooth surface (OR = 0.360, P = .019), high caries risk (OR = 0.367, P = .039), and moderate‐to‐high caries levels (OR = 0.190, P = .022). Conclusion OW children/adolescents had lower caries experience, at both ICDAS thresholds, and lower caries risk, compared to NW children/adolescents.

Excessive Weight Gain and Dental Caries Experience among Children Affected by ADHD

“…However, epidemiological surveys performed in the general population give conflicting outcomes regarding the relationships between BMI and the frequency of dental caries. In the available literature, we could find the opinion that obese children do not have extensive tooth decay, while other studies reject this hypothesis [38,[43][44][45].…”

Associations between dental caries and systemic diseases: a scoping review

“…For severe dental caries (DMFT > 6), no oral hygiene at night was a significant risk factor (p = 0.006) Conclusion: No significant association was found between BMI and dental caries in cohort of 13-year-old participants. Guare et al [ 55 ] Compare caries [dentin (DC) and enamel (EC)] and caries risk between normal weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW) 6-12-year-old children. BMI, caries using ICDAS system (two categories: EC/DC and DC) and caries risk using the caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) system were recorded and analyzed by logistic regression.…”

Differences between Obese and Non-Obese Children and Adolescents Regarding Their Oral Status and Blood Markers of Kidney Diseases

“…The second survey confirmed high caries incidence of obese children aged 6-12 years old, but the relationship between BMI and insufficient oral hygiene has not been demonstrated [32]. A similar study of 91 participants divided on normal and overweight children between 6-12 years old revealed a low caries experience and risk classification CAMBRA [30]. The lack of differences in the group consisted of younger children may be explained by the very high caries prevalence among Polish children under 7 years old, estimated at 85.0% [33].…”

“…Based on the literature review on childhood obesity, cause-and-effect relationships to oral diseases show strong associations with periodontal diseases and different relationships to caries progression, such as confirming [24][25][26] or denying [27][28][29][30]. It seems to depend on multiple factors contributing to the disease progress and the risk of dental caries in primary and permanent dentition among pediatric patients affected by simple obesity.…”