Nutritional Analysis in Relation to Dental Caries Among Children

Dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay, is a significant health concern among children globally. It is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in pediatric populations, affecting millions of children each year. The role of nutrition in the development and prevention of dental caries is critical, yet complex, involving various dietary factors and habits. The aim of this study to explore and analyze the relationship between nutrition and dental caries in children. This case-control study was conducted at the pediatric clinic in the College of Dentistry, Uruk University, Iraq, between April 2023 to June 2023. The study involved 100 children aged 4 to 14 years, categorized into four groups: underweight, overweight, at-risk weight, and healthy weight, with 25 children in each group. BMI was calculated, and dental caries were assessed using the decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs/DMFS) index according to WHO criteria. The study revealed that there were no variations in tooth decay occurrences across the four weight categories. Nevertheless, noticeable disparities in body mass index (BMI) were evident among the groups (P = 0.000). In the healthy weight group, a negative relationship between BMI and, dmfs was identified, while a positive connection was observed between BMI and DMFS in the underweight group. The results suggest that factors other than weight, such as eating habits, dental care routines, and social and economic circumstances, can have a significant impact on children's dental health. Efforts to enhance nutrition and oral hygiene should consider a broader set of elements rather than focusing solely on weight.