The impact of excessive weight on oral health in school age children

Abstract

The young generation in Malta exhibit a high rate in overweight and obesity. This study should determine whether children are more susceptible to oral manifestations. Objective: To identify whether there is an impact on the oral structures (gingival tissues and teeth) in obese/overweight children when compared to normal weight children by assessing the bleeding on probing and DMFT scores. Method: 193 children were examined clinically within their schools under standard illumination from a Daray Light using mouth mirrors and a CPITN-C Probe. Participants were assessed through an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each child was weighed and height measured to calculate the BMI and was categorised according to weight measure indices using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) tables. The BOP, BPE, calculus, tooth Erosion using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) and DMFT scores of each child were also collected and recorded in data collection forms. Results: More than half of the sample population of this study were either overweight or obese, 27% and 28% respectively, while 44% were of normal weight and 0% being underweight. 3% of the normal and overweight subjects together exhibited bleeding in 75 – 100% (21-28 units of teeth), while 11% of the obese category had bleeding in 21-28 units. Additionally, obese children presented higher DMFT scores when compared to normal weight children. Conclusion: This study has provided evidence that there is a relationship between gingival diseases and obesity amongst children. Living in a society where there is a high prevalenceof obesity one should be aware of the implications this morbidity has on the oral cavity.