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Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 6/2017 NEWS 27 New research links oral health and weight issues By DTI GOTHENBURG, Sweden: Hav- ing children eat healthily can be a tricky task. However, having found an association between the prevalence of cariogenic bacteria and a high body mass index (BMI) in children, research by a doctoral student at the Sahlgrenska Acad- emy of the University of Gothen- burg has pointed to a possible new approach. The thesis on children’s diet, BMI and well-being has suggested that discussions with parents and chil- dren about what foods are good or bad for the teeth may help to reduce the risk of obesity. “Weight can be a sensitive subject, but if you talk about eating behaviours alongside dental health, you’re looking at the issue from a differ- ent angle,” said the author of the thesis, Louise Arvidsson. In one of her sub-studies, Arvids- son reviewed the eating behav- iour, BMI and dental health of 271 preschool and primary school children in Sweden. She compared the children’s height, weight and food intake over one day with the prevalence of cariogenic bacteria in saliva and discovered a link. The children who had higher amounts of the bacteria also had a signifi- cantly higher BMI and less healthy eating habits, such as eating more frequently and consuming more foods rich in sugar. The researcher emphasised that more studies are needed to inves- tigate the mechanism behind the association between BMI and cari- ogenic bacteria count. However, she suggested that improving children’s eating habits by reduc- ing intake of sugar-rich foods and beverages and limiting intake fre- quency (specifically of unhealthy snacks) may provide multiple ben- efits in preventing both dental car- ies and the development of child- hood obesity. Furthermore, Arvidsson believes that, with the right collaboration between dentists, child health care specialists and schools, there is a good opportunity to help those most at risk, specifically in Sweden, where children visit the dentist from a young age. Arvidsson also pointed to the link found in the study between healthy food and a higher self- esteem, better relationships with friends and fewer emotional prob- lems. “We know that adults with depres- sion feel better if, in addition to other treatment, they also meet with a dietitian. The question is whether a healthy diet can have ef- fect also in young children. There has been a lot of focus on physi- cal activity and mental health in children, but diet is an increasingly recognized aspect,” said Arvidsson. The thesis, titled Diets of European Children, with Focus on BMI, Well- Being, and Families: The IDEFICS/I. Family Cohort, was based on data from a European study aimed at identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and in- fants. A thesis has suggested using discussion of dental health as a way to combat obesity in children after finding a link between the two. (Photograph: jarmoluk/Pixabay) The fast way to esthetic perfection. The natural fine-structure feldspar veneering ceramic for zirconia frameworks. E 9 1 5 3 VITAVM®9 • Excellent light dynamics and optimum physical properties thanks to the fi ne-structure ceramic • Excellent modeling characteristics for fast and accurate application of the ceramic • Process reliability thanks to long-standing experience www.vita-zahnfabrik.com facebook.com/vita.zahnfabrik VITA – perfect match.