Anita Alm

Body adiposity status in teenagers and snacking habits in early childhood in relation to approximal caries at 15 years of age

BACKGROUND The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is steadily increasing in many countries. Dental caries and obesity are both multifactorial diseases and are associated with dietary habits. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between body weight status in adolescents and snacking habits in early childhood to approximal caries prevalence at 15 years of age. METHODS This study is part of a series of surveys of oral health in children followed from the ages of 1 year to 15 years. Body adiposity status was estimated at 13.5-16.4 years using the International Obesity Task Force cut-off values [age-specific body mass index (isoBMI)]. Information about snacking habits in early childhood was collected from interviews conducted at 1 year and 3 years. Approximal caries information was obtained from bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Data related to isoBMI and approximal caries were available in 402 teenagers. RESULT Adolescents with isoBMI > or = 25 (n = 64) had an approximal caries prevalence that was a mean of 1.6 times higher than those with isoBMI < 25 (n = 338) (4.64 vs. 2.94; P = 0.014). Furthermore, childrens snacking habits at an early age were associated with approximal caries at 15 years. CONCLUSION Overweight and obese adolescents had more approximal caries than normal-weight individuals. Moreover, the frequent consumption of snacking products during early childhood appears to be a risk indicator for caries at 15 years. Future preventive programmes should therefore include, on a multidisciplinary level, strategies to prevent and reduce both obesity and dental caries at an early age.

Prevalence of Approximal Caries in Posterior Teeth in 15-Year-Old Swedish Teenagers in Relation to Their Caries Experience at 3 Years of Age

The aim of the present investigation was to study the prevalence of approximal caries lesions and fillings in posterior teeth at 15 years of age in a prospectively followed Swedish population (n = 568), with special reference to their caries experience at the age of 3 years. Only approximal surfaces were recorded, since all children in the Community of Jönköping have had fissure sealing performed on all caries-free permanent molars. At 15 years of age, the mean number of approximal tooth surfaces with initial caries lesions (Dia), manifest caries lesions and fillings (DmFa) and total caries experience and fillings (Di + mFa) – recorded on bitewing radiographs – was 2.78 , 0.45 and 3.23, respectively. One third of the adolescents had no approximal caries or fillings; the Dia constituted 86% of the Di + mFa. Children with manifest caries at 3 years of age had a higher risk of developing approximal caries in their permanent teeth than caries-free children at the same age (41 vs. 17%). Furthermore, children who were caries-free at 3 years of age were more likely to remain caries-free at 15 years of age compared to children with manifest caries (37 vs. 17%). All these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, early childhood caries experience (developed before 3 years of age) had a greater predictive value than late childhood caries experience (developed between 3 and 6 years of age) concerning approximal caries at 15 years of age.

Oral Hygiene and Parent-Related Factors during Early Childhood in Relation to Approximal Caries at 15 Years of Age

The aim was to investigate whether oral hygiene habits and parent-related factors, recorded in early childhood, have a predictive value in relation to approximal caries experience (including initial caries lesions) at the age of 15 years (n = 568). Data were selected from examinations, interviews and questionnaires at 1 and 3 years and bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Four levels of cut-off points for the statistical analysis were used: DFa = 0, > 0, ≧4 and ≧8. In the final logistic regression analyses, mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good remained statistically significant and predicted a caries experience of DFa > 0 at 15 years. The following four variables predicted DFa ≧4: (1) female gender, (2) plaque on maxillary incisors at 1 year, (3) mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good and (4) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Two variables predicted DFa ≧8: (1) toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste just once a day, and (2) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Furthermore, children who failed to attend the examination at 1 year of age had 6.95 ± 5.36 (mean ± SD) DFa at 15 years compared with 3.10 ± 3.85 for children who were examined at 1 year of age (p < 0.01). To conclude, factors explaining good dental health at 15 years of age pertained to both children and parents. Thus, it seems that good oral hygiene habits, established in early childhood, provide a foundation for a low experience of approximal caries in adolescents.

Caries Prevalence in Swedish 20-Year-Olds in Relation to Their Previous Caries Experience

Background/Aim: There are few studies of caries development and caries-related factors from early age to young adulthood. The aim of the present study is to analyse caries prevalence in 20-year-olds in relation to their previous caries experience. Method: Oral health from 3 to 20 years of age was followed longitudinally in a cohort of 499 individuals. The clinical and radiographic incidence of caries and restorations in 494 20-year-olds was related to caries data at 3, 6 and 15 years of age. Results: Twenty-six per cent of the 20-year-olds were caries-free. The mean number of initial and manifest lesions and restorations (Di + mFS) was 5.8. Initial lesions comprised 40% of the Di + mFS. Of the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars, 12 and 4%, respectively, had manifest caries or restorations. Compared with individuals who had been caries-free during childhood (primary dentition) and adolescence, those with a history of caries activity while growing up had statistically significantly more approximal lesions at the age of 20 (DmFSa 0.6 vs. DmFSa 4.6, respectively). Those with manifest caries during childhood but caries-free at 15 years had a low caries prevalence at 20 years of age (DmFSa 1.3). Few new lesions developed after age 15. However, 50% of initial lesions at this age had progressed to manifest lesions at age 20. Conclusion: There is a relationship between caries prevalence at age 20 and early caries experience.

Prevalence of dental erosion and association with lifestyle factors in Swedish 20-year olds

Abstract Objective. To investigate the prevalence, distribution and severity of dental erosion and its association with lifestyle, oral and general health in young adults. Materials and methods. Four hundred and ninety-four individuals, 20-years of age, participated. Dental erosion in molars and maxillary incisors was evaluated. Caries, plaque and gingivitis were registered. Saliva samples were taken and the subjects were interviewed about behavioural and dietary habits and oral and general health. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The individuals were sub-divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of dental erosion: within the group with erosion was a sub-group of individuals with extensive erosion. Results. Of the individuals 25% had no erosion, 75% had erosion and 18% had extensive erosion. Erosion was found in molars in 74% of the individuals and on buccal and palatal surfaces in maxillary incisors in 4% and 7%, respectively. Cupping was seen in 65% of individuals and severe erosion in molars in 1.6%. Compared to subjects with no erosion, those with extensive erosion had a higher consumption of soft drinks (p = 0.05), caries prevalence (p < 0.01), prevalence of mutans Streptococci (p < 0.01) and BMI (p < 0.05). Furthermore, subjects with erosion had higher caries prevalence (p < 0.01) and BMI (p < 0.01) than those with no erosion. Conclusions. Swedish young adults have a high prevalence of dental erosion, but the level of severe erosion is low. The study disclosed a relationship between dental erosion and behavioural factors, oral health and BMI.

Overweight and obesity in twenty-year-old Swedes in relation to birthweight and weight development during childhood

Aim:  To describe the frequency of overweight and obesity from birth to 20 years of age and analyse weight at 20 years of age in relation to weight and weight development during early childhood and adolescence.