Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Aida Mehdipour 1
- Mojtaba Hossein Nattaj 2
- Roohollah Fateh 3
- Mohammad Aghaali 4
- Romina Qomeisi 5
- Ali Saleh 6
- Mohammadhassan Kalantar Neyestanaki 7
1 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
2 Prosthodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
3 Cellular and Molecular Research Center ,Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
4 Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
5 Faculty of Dentistry, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
6 Student research committee, Faculty of Dentistry, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
7 Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran, Arak, Iran
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern linked to various systemic and oral health issues. Despite evidence suggesting potential interactions between body mass index (BMI) and specific oral health markers, the precise nature of these associations remains unclear.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between salivary microbial and fungal populations, salivary acidity, and obesity in children.
Materials and Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2021–2022, involving 90 children aged 8 to 12 years from public schools in Qom, Iran. The participants were categorized into three BMI-based groups: 30 children with normal weight, 30 overweight children, and 30 obese children. Demographic information, including parental education and occupation, was recorded. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected using the passive drooling method. A total of 0.5 ml of saliva was mixed with 5 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and homogenized thoroughly by using a shaker. Microbiological analysis involved quantifying colonies of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus, and Candida albicans and measuring salivary pH using a calibrated pH meter. Statistical analysis included Chi-square, One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, T-test, post-hoc tests, and Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients, with significance set at p Value<0.05.
Results: No significant relationship was found between childhood obesity and parental education (father’s p=0.051, mother’s p= 0.862) or occupation (father’s p= 0.224, mother’s p= 0.893). Salivary pH did not differ significantly between weight groups (p= 0.639). Overweight children had lower Lactobacillus levels (p= 0.857), and obese children had higher Streptococcus mutans levels (p= 0.777); however, neither showed a significant correlation with BMI. Candida albicans colonies showed a significant negative correlation with childhood obesity (p= 0.046). A significant association was found between salivary Streptococcus mutans (p= 0.046) and Lactobacillus (p= 0.002) levels with Candida albicans levels.
Conclusion: This study found that while oral bacterial levels did not significantly differ among the three weight groups, fungal species, particularly Candida albicans, showed significant variation. A negative association between childhood obesity and Candida albicans colony counts was observed. These findings suggest that obesity influences the salivary microbial ecosystem, warranting further research to explore its implications for oral and systemic health.
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