Contrary to conventional wisdom, overweight children have fewer cavities and healthier teeth compared to their normal weight peers, according to a study published in this month’s issue of Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology.
Surprised researchers at the Eastman Dental Center, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, conducted a secondary analysis of nearly 18,000 children who participated in two separate National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES III and NHANES 99-02).
The study found no differences in rates of caries (tooth decay) among children ages 2-5 in all weight ranges, while children ages 6-18 who were considered overweight and at risk for becoming overweight showed a decreased risk of caries compared to their normal weight peers.
“We expected to find more oral disease in overweight children of all ages, given the similar causal factors that are generally associated with obesity and caries, said Eastman Dental Center’s Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski, DDS, MPH, the lead author. “Our findings raise more questions than answers. For example, are overweight children eating foods higher in fat rather than cavity-causing sugars? Are their diets similar to normal weight peers but lead more sedentary lifestyles? Research to analyze both diet and lifestyle is needed to better understand the results.”
The study defined overweight children as being at the 95th or higher percentile for their age and sex; children at the 85th or higher percentile and less than 95th percentile for their age and sex were defined as at risk for becoming overweight.
See also:
ScienceDaily April 3, 2008
April 2, 2008
The Eastman Dental Center was recently featured in WHAM News 13’s story Dental Care for Kids—Still a Nightmare for Some.
February 18, 2008
Lisa Lord, a dental operations supervisor for General Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, received a Board Excellence Award for Dentistry for consistently displaying a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition during her 26 years of service to this department. She is certified as an anesthesia assistant and dental assistant. As a manager, she exhibits creativity and resourcefulness to help make the department more efficient.
February 8, 2008
A class of chemicals in red wine grapes may significantly reduce the ability of bacteria to cause cavities.
The recent study examined the make-up of polyphenols in red wine grape varieties and their ability to interfere with Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the bacteria that produces the substances most responsible for tooth decay. The study was conducted by assistant professor of Dentistry, Dr. Hyun Koo, of the Eastman Department of Dentistry and Center for Oral Biology in collaboration with the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Cornell University.
Read the full release here.
“Benefits of Red Wine” also featured on News 10 Whec.com .
January 17, 2008
The Center for Oral Biology within the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry has been awarded $4 million to expand its renowned training program for oral biologists and dentist-scientists. New, cross-disciplinary training programs will focus on the basic mechanisms that underlie oral diseases to help students prepare for careers within academia, government and industry. more…
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Eastman Dental Center awarded funds to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in academic dentistry 3/31/2004
Orthodontist Given Alumni Affairs Award - February/2004
Dr. Todd Thierer Appointed Medical Director For Eastman Dental Center - February/2004
IADR/Unilever Hatton Award Winner - May 03, 2004
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