Abstract:

Objective: Obesity is a global, chronic disease that affects both developed and developing countries. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of morbid obesity and obesity affect the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and saliva values. Methods: The study included 50 morbidly obese, 50 obese, and 50 control group patients ranging in age from 18 to 68. The DMFT index of the patients was determined by clinical examination. The saliva kit was used to determine saliva values [unstimulated saliva flow rate (USFR), stimulated saliva flow rate (SSFR), saliva viscosity (SV), saliva pH (SpH), and saliva buffering capacity (SBC)]. The patients were surveyed to learn about their oral health habits, nutritional habits, and socioeconomic status. Results: There was no significant difference in the number of decayed teeth, filled teeth, USFR, or SV between the groups (p>0.05). The DMFT index, number of missing teeth, SSFR, SpH, and SBC all showed significant differences between the groups (p<0.05). Significant variables associated with DMFT, according to the multiple linear regression model, are frequency of dental visits (Beta=0.365), age (Beta=0.322), and stimulated saliva flow rate (Beta=-0.256). Conclusions: Obese patients have low saliva rate, low saliva pH, low buffering capacity, high DMFT index and high number of missing teeth.

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