Clinical, Biochemical, and Microbiological Evaluation of Dental and Periodontal Health in Obese Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
Clinical, Biochemical, and Microbiological Evaluation of Dental and Periodontal Health in Obese Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
This study aims to investigate whether obesity affects oral and gum health in children and adolescents. A total of 75 children aged 8 to 13 years participated, including both obese and non-obese individuals. All participants received a dental examination, and samples of saliva, blood, and gum fluid were collected to measure specific inflammation-related substances (such as IL-1α, IL-1β, and leptin). The presence of specific bacteria in the mouth was also analyzed.
This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the relationship between pediatric obesity and periodontal health by integrating clinical, biochemical, and microbiological assessments. A total of 75 adolescents (36 obese and 39 non-obese), aged 8-13 years, were enrolled. Clinical oral evaluations included dft, DMFT, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD). Blood, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected for ELISA-based measurement of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1α, IL-1β, and leptin). Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed using real-time PCR to quantify six key periodontal pathogens.
Inclusion Criteria:
Children aged between 8 and 13 years
Parental consent obtained
No systemic diseases other than obesity
No current medication use
Exclusion Criteria:
Use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs in the past 3 months
History of systemic disease (other than obesity for the obese group)
Undergoing orthodontic treatment
Missing permanent first molars
Uncooperative behavior during examination