Is obesity a problem that threatens oral health in adults?

Abstract

Purpose: Obesity is one of the increasingly negative factors affecting oral and dental health directly or indirectly in many developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity and dental problems in adults and to investigate the effect of obesity on oral and dental health.
 Materials and Methods: 200 patients over the age of 18 who applied with various dental complaints were examined clinically and radiologically. They were classified as 50 healthy females, 50 healthy males, 50 obese females, and 50 obese males according to the body mass index determined by the World Health Organization (healthy individual < 30.0 kg / m2 and 30.0 kg / m2 ≤ obesity individual). Sociodemographic characteristics, dental health status, and data of all patients were examined.
 Results: A statistically significant relationship was found between obesity and the number of tooth loss, the number of dental caries, educational status, and the frequency of applying to the dentist. Periodontitis was detected at a higher rate in the obesity group (58 %) compared to the control group, but the relationship between obesity and periodontal status was not statistically significant. 
 Conclusion: Dental problems such as tooth loss, the number of dental caries, and periodontitis were higher in the obesity group, and this result showed that obesity threatens oral and dental health. To prevent these problems, there is a need for preventive strategies and increasing awareness of oral and dental health in obese patients.