The relationship between children's body mass index and periodontal status

Anthropometric and Sociodemographic Correlates of Dental Caries and Gingival Health in Children With Special Healthcare Needs at a Saudi Tertiary Care Hospital

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of anthropometric and sociodemographic factors on dental caries and gingival health among children with special healthcare needs (SHCN).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cross-sectional study involved 108 children, aged 4-14 years, with congenital heart disease, childhood cancer, bleeding disorders, various syndromes, and multiple conditions. Caregivers completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, and children underwent dental examinations to assess caries, gingival health, and oral hygiene. Anthropometric measures-weight, height, and body mass index (BMI)-were obtained and categorized into percentiles (<10, 10-90, >90) using age- and gender-specific growth charts. Dental caries was highly prevalent (93.5%), with a mean dmft/DMFT value of 7.70 (SD ± 5.22). The mean gingival index was 0.43 (SD ± 0.52). Total dmft/DMFT values were significantly higher in children ≤6 years and those with fathers of lower educational levels. Poor oral hygiene was a strong predictor of adverse outcomes for both caries and gingival health. Higher gingival indices correlated with children in the >90th weight percentile.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the need for comprehensive oral health interventions that integrate meticulous oral hygiene, paternal education, and holistic growth monitoring beyond BMI. The results support implementing a 3-month recall program for professional dental care, combined with individualized oral hygiene instruction for caregivers. This approach is particularly crucial for the younger age group (≤6 years) where targeted early intervention could significantly reduce caries risk.

Persistent deciduous teeth: Association of prevalence with breed, breed size and body weight in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States

Dogs use their teeth for a multitude of tasks and, as such, it is vital for their health and wellbeing that their oral health is maintained. Persistent deciduous teeth (PDT), those that fail to fall out at the appropriate time, are associated with malocclusion (misaligned bite), soft tissue trauma and increased risk of periodontal disease. The objective of the current study was to perform a retrospective analysis of veterinary medical data to understand the effect of dog breed size, dog breed and body weight on prevalence of PDT. Medical records collected from almost 3 million dogs visiting a chain of veterinary hospitals across the United States over a 5-year period showed an overall prevalence of 7% for PDT, the data represented 60 breeds with extra-small breeds (<6.5 kg) showing significantly higher prevalence (15%) than all other breed sizes (P < 0.001). Statistical modelling of extra-small, small and medium-small breed sizes showed that those on Wellness Plans or that had not received a dental prophylaxis for at least two years had significantly increased odds of PDT being detected (Odds ratio 2.72-3.2 and 2.17-3.36 respectively, P < 0.0001). Dogs with a below ideal body condition score had a decreased odds of PDT (Odds ratio 0.57-0.89, P < 0.0001) whereas those above ideal had an increased odds (Odds ratio 1.11-1.60, P < 0.0001). The findings from this extensive dataset highlight the importance of regular veterinarian examinations to identify and remove PDT, helping to avoid increasing the risk of associated issues such as periodontal disease and malocclusion.

The Relationship between Age, Gender, BMI, Diet, Salivary pH and Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

The oral microbiome can be influenced by many factors and its dysbiosis can have negative effects on oral and general health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the intensity of 11 periodontal pathogenic microorganisms identified in the oral cavity of a sample of children and adolescents from Oradea, Romania and to investigate the association of some variables (age, gender, body mass index, diet, and salivary pH) with the identified microorganisms. The cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of clinically healthy patients under the age of 18 years from Oradea, Romania. For the analysis of the periodontal pathogens, the micro-IDent kit was used, which determines 11 bacterial markers for periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The kit is based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bacterial sampling was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. A total of 60 children (23 male, 37 female) were included in this study, and were divided into three different age categories. No statistically significant results were identified for gender. However statistically significant results were obtained for other variables. Positive results for Prevotella intermedia and Bacteroides forsythus were associated with ages between 13 and 18 years, while positive results for Capnocytophaga spp. were associated with ages between 2 and 5 years. Positive results for Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus, Peptostreptococcus micros, Campylobacter rectus and Eikenella corodens were associated with an overweight BMI. Negative results for Prevotella intermedia and Eikenella corodens were associated with a natural diet in the first 6 months of life. Positive results for Fusobacterium nucleatum and Campylobacter rectus were associated with an acidic salivary pH. In this study, the identified periodontal pathogens were associated with age, body mass index, diet in the first 6 months of life, and salivary pH.

Impact of puberty, sex determinants and chronic inflammation on cardiovascular risk in young people

Worrying trends of increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in children, adolescents and young people in the Modern Era have channelled research and public health strategies to tackle this growing epidemic. However, there are still controversies related to the dynamic of the impact of sex, age and puberty on this risk and on cardiovascular health outcomes later in life. In this comprehensive review of current literature, we examine the relationship between puberty, sex determinants and various traditional CVD-risk factors, as well as subclinical atherosclerosis in young people in general population. In addition, we evaluate the role of chronic inflammation, sex hormone therapy and health-risk behaviours on augmenting traditional CVD-risk factors and health outcomes, ultimately aiming to determine whether tailored management strategies for this age group are justified.

Evaluation of the Relationship between the BMI and the Sequence and Chronology of Eruption in Permanent Dentition in Spanish Population

The aim was to analyze the relationship between BMI (body mass index) and the sequence and chronology of the eruption of permanent teeth in a sample of Spanish children. Methods: The study design was descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, and epidemiological. Patients of pediatric age were included. Emerged teeth, and patient’s age, race, and sex were recorded. The nutritional status of the child was assessed by calculating the BMI, according to the WHO parameters. Statistical analysis was carried out with a confidence interval of 95%. A prediction model with logistic regression models was obtained. Results: A total of 725 pediatric patients between 4 and 14 years old were analyzed. BMI acts as a predictor variable for eruption symmetry, as it was most frequent in overweight children (p < 0.001). The probability of symmetry in dental eruption increases for South American children, for an extra month of age, and each meter of height. BMI had an influence in the first tooth to appear only in the fourth quadrant. BMI did not seem to influence present teeth, and the sequence of permanent dental eruption was not influenced by the BMI category. Conclusions: Age, weight, height, and BMI act as significant predictors for eruption symmetry. BMI does not produce alterations in the eruption sequence of the permanent dentition.