Impact of diseases of the hard tissues of teeth on oral health-related quality of life of schoolchildren in area with a high concentration of fluoride in drinking water.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of caries, Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH), and fluorosis on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of schoolchildren aged 8-10 years living in area with different fluoride levels in the drinking water. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The prevalence of caries and fluorosis were assessed among 663 Mexican schoolchildren using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) and the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI), respectively. MIH was recorded using the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria and OHRQoL using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10). Poisson regression models were used in data analysis. RESULTS: Schoolchildren presenting two of the three conditions (cavitated lesions and TFI≥4, cavitated lesions and MIH or TFI≥4 and MIH) experienced worse quality of life than children who did not [RR=4.18; (95% CI 3.83, 4.56)]. Children with all three conditions had worse quality of life than children who did not [RR=5.64; (95% CI 5.13, 6.20)]. CONCLUSIONS: Fluorosis, MIH, and caries have a negative impact on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren living in area with a high concentration of fluoride in their drinking water.

Marginalization and fluorosis its relationship with dental caries in rural children in Mexico: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Examine the association between marginalization and fluorosis with caries experience in Mexican rural children aged 8-12, in Oaxaca, Mexico. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 283 rural schoolchildren selected from two locations with high and medium levels of marginalization where the water fluoride concentration ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 ppm/F. Caries was evaluated using the DMFT index and dental fluorosis with the Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index (TFI). Socioeconomic data were collected from participants' parents, with data on the children's characteristics collected from them via a questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries was 72.4% (DMFT ≥1) in the permanent dentition. The prevalence of fluorosis was 98.0% (TFI ≥4=71.4%). 54.8% of the children brushed their teeth two or more times daily. In logistic regression children living in high levels of marginalization were more likely to present caries (OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.13 - 3.93) than children living in medium levels. Children with severe fluorosis (TFI ≥4) (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.06 - 3.53) were more likely have caries than those with TFI ⟨3. CONCLUSION: Rural children with a high level of marginalization and fluorosis (TFI ≥4) were more likely to present caries. Poor oral hygiene and low dental service levels were found in both marginalized areas. Populations with medium/high marginalization are more susceptible to caries.

An inverse relationship between obesity and dental caries in Mexican schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between caries experience and obesity in Mexican schoolchildren aged 8-12 years. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted on 522 schoolchildren selected from public schools. The prevalence of caries was evaluated by applying the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index and ascertaining the subjects' dental caries experience from the mean DMFT value. Socio-economic data were collected from the parents, with data on the children's characteristics collected from them via a questionnaire. Their weight and height were then measured and used to calculate their body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-score, which was then adjusted by age and sex. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries was 79.9% (DMFT≥1) in permanent dentition. Of all children, 47.5% of them brushed their teeth two or more times per day, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.1% and 17.6%, respectively. The logistic regression model showed that children with obesity (a >2 Z-score on the BMI-for-age growth chart) were less likely to have dental caries (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.31-0.89]; P = 0.017) than children without obesity, with schoolchildren who consume more sweets per day (OR = 1.65 [95% CI: 1.03-2.62]; P = 0.035) more likely to present caries than schoolchildren who consume fewer sweets per day. CONCLUSION: Children with obesity are less likely to present dental caries. Comprehensive strategies aimed at risk factors can be useful in controlling nutritional status and improving oral health.