Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2025
Precision of In Vivo Quantitative Tooth Wear Measurement Using Intra-Oral Scans
Published on: July 12, 2022
Relationship between salivary flow rate and dental caries in normal and underweight children: a comparative
Abdul Qadir Khan Dall1, Muhammad Adeel Ahmed2, Fizza Zulfiqar3
1Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Background And Objectives:
This study aims to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI), salivary flow rate, and dental caries among children in Tharparkar.
Materials And Methods:
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months involving 179 children aged 8-12 years from Tharparkar and Hyderabad. Weight and height were recorded, BMI was computed using height and weight, and salivary flow rate was measured using the spitting method. Dental caries were assessed using the DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and independent t-tests were performed to assess group differences.
Results:
Underweight children (60.9% male, mean BMI 15.46 ± 2.45 kg/m2) showed higher mean DMFT scores for deciduous teeth (2.44 vs. 1.06, p = 0.009) compared to normal-weight peers. No significant differences were found in permanent teeth DMFT scores or salivary flow rates between BMI groups.
Conclusions:
Underweight children exhibited a higher prevalence of dental caries in their primary teeth, underscoring the need for integrated nutritional and oral health interventions in vulnerable populations. However, salivary flow rate did not differ significantly between BMI groups, suggesting other factors may play a more critical role in caries prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:11Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...