Title : Nutrition, body weight and oral health
Abstract:
Nutrition is a factor affecting the health by two means; balanced diet is protective, while food that has no nutritional value and high calories is a risk factor for many diseases, and the effect can last for long time. Among the impact of risky diet is the occurrence of dental caries, and the deterioration of oral health. One of the most common food groups that can be risky is sweets. Sugar consumption positively correlated with the occurrence of dental caries. The frequency and amount of daily sugar intake should be according to the published recommended levels. High consumption of added sugars increased the probability of being overweight. Furthermore, extra sugars can lead to energy deficit among obese individuals. Energy level is related to personal hygiene. On the other hand, In a developing country: Mean number of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent Teeth (mean DMFT) was negatively associated with body weight, and higher frequency of dental caries was noticed among severely malnourished; although these findings were not statistically significant, but this could be a beta error. A Review of cross-sectional studies which was published in the same year, concluded no relationship between Body mass index (BMI) for age, and dental caries. In United kingdom, the relation between dental caries and better diet was found to be statistically insignificant after adjustment for oral hygiene practices, which could mean that oral hygiene is a confounder and it is the more factor affecting dental caries development. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) has been used to assess the impact that oral health problems can have on a person’s life. It was found that BMI was negatively correlated with OHIP.
Audience Take Away:
- The correlation between non-healthy food intake and declined oral health
- The relation between Body mass index and dental caries
- Exploring the ways that has the potential to improve oral health among affected individuals who have abnormal body mass index or non-healthy diet
