Impact of Medical and Surgical Obesity Treatment on Dental Caries: A 2-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

The objective was to study the long-term effects on oral health of bariatric surgery compared with medical treatment of obesity. Swedish females with morbid obesity (n = 66; 18-35 years at baseline) were followed prospectively from before obesity treatment until 2 years after treatment. The main response variable was dental caries registered according to the ICDAS-II system. Possible confounding factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, general health, oral health habits, and oral hygiene, were controlled for. The statistical methods included χ2 tests, Student's t tests, one-way ANOVA, Wilcoxon's nonparametric tests, and linear regression models. In the surgically treated patients (n = 40), a significant increase over time in enamel caries (mean increase 4.13 tooth surfaces ICDAS1-2), dentine caries (mean increase 2.18 tooth surfaces ICDAS3-6), and total caries (mean increase 6.30 tooth surfaces ICDAS1-6) was registered (all p < 0.001), which was not seen in the medically treated patients (n = 26). However, the difference between the treatment groups (surgical or medical) was only statistically significant for enamel caries (crude ß 4.89, p = 0.003) and total caries (crude ß 6.53, p < 0.001). The relationships were stable and independent of differences in confounders as socioeconomy, general health, and oral health behaviors. In conclusion, 2 years after obesity treatment, a significant increase in dental caries was registered in the surgically treated but not in the medically treated women. The dental service should intensify its preventive efforts in individuals undergoing obesity treatment.

Prevalence of dry mouth in adult patients in primary health care.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and severity of dry mouth by age, gender, presence of disease, and medication intake for patients aged 18 years and over, seeking primary health care on the west coast of Sweden (Region of Västra Götaland, VGR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted among patients (n = 374, age ≥ 18) visiting primary health care providers (n = 4) in VGR for any medical reasons. Patients were invited to participate by answering a single-item question, 'Have you experienced dry mouth in the last six months?' Patients giving positive answers (n = 163) were asked to fill in the 11-item Xerostomia Inventory (XI) questionnaire to determine the variability and severity of xerostomia. Patients replying 'No' (n = 211) to the single-item question were considered not to have xerostomia and included in the non-xerostomia group. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of xerostomia was 43.6% with a female dominance (61.2%). The prevalence in different age groups among females and males was similar. The number of medications and/or diseases are positively associated with xerostomia. Medication was a significant predictor of the prevalence of xerostomia, regardless of age and gender (p < .001). Patients with five or more medications had the highest prevalence of xerostomia (71.2%). CONCLUSION: Patients seeking primary care on the west coast of Sweden have a high prevalence of xerostomia. Factors associated with xerostomia were female gender and medications and/or diseases. Awareness is required to manage patients with xerostomia in medical and dental care.

Oral health by obesity classification in young obese women - a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore oral health by increasing degree of obesity and the influence of modifying factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Swedish females (n = 118; 18-35 years) with morbid obesity were recruited from the BAriatric SUbstitution and Nutrition study (BASUN). Body mass index (BMI) was used as continuous and categorized into 35-39.9 kg/m2/40-44.9 kg/m2/≥45 kg/m2. Oral examinations assessed dental caries using the ICDAS system, periodontal status and saliva characteristics. Information on sociodemographics, oral health behaviour and symptoms was collected via a questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean BMI was 42.2 kg/m3 (SD 4.0; range 35.0-63.7). Significantly higher frequencies of dentine caries (p = .001) and total caries (p = .046) were found with higher BMI with an increase in total caries by 0.59 tooth surface (p = .025) for each increasing BMI degree. There were consistent associations between obesity and dentine caries for the group with the highest BMI (≥45), adjusted RR 2.08 (95% CI 1.20-3.61), and all stages of caries, adjusted RR 1.41 (95% CI 1.02-1.96). High scores were found for dental plaque (50.2%) and gingivitis (34.5%). CONCLUSION: Young obese women exhibited poor oral health with higher caries levels by higher BMI. Dental care should adapt the prevention efforts for obese individuals. Trial Registration: The trial was prospectively registered on March 03; 2015; NCT03152617.

Oral health profile of postbariatric surgery individuals: A case series.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the oral health profile of individuals who had undergone gastric bypass surgery (GBP) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to generate hypotheses for further studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen individuals treated with GBP or SG surgery ≥ 2 years ago and with observed and/or perceived oral problems were recruited to a case series. The documentation included clinical and radiographic examinations, biomedical sampling, and self-reported diet and questionnaires. The results are presented descriptively. RESULTS: The age range was 31 to 66 years and all had a BMI > 25 (range 25.4-44.7). Only four participants were fully dentate. Eleven out of 14 individuals exhibited severe decay. A majority had poor oral hygiene and high bacterial counts. The flow rates of unstimulated saliva were extremely low and hyposalivation was present in ten of the fourteen cases. Most perceived several oral health problems, such as chewing difficulty and tooth hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who had undergone GBP or SG surgery had poor clinically diagnosed oral health and perceived oral health problems. Longitudinal studies are needed to monitor the patients' oral health, from before bariatric surgery to long-term postoperatively.