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The Impact of Nutritional Status on the Oral Health in a Group of Egyptian Preschool Children

Objective: To study the influence of nutritional status on the oral health. Introduction: Nutrition is one of the modifiable factors that impacts on the host's immune response and integrity of the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Diet and nutrition play key roles in tooth development, gingival and oral tissue integrity, bone strength, and the prevention of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Moreover, the impact of nutrient intake systemically affects the development, maintenance, and repair of the teeth and oral tissues. Nutrition and diet affect the oral cavity, and the reverse is also true. A thorough examination of oral cavity can reveal symptoms of nutritional deficiencies, microbial infections, immune disorders and injuries. Few studies have been conducted in Egypt on the inter-relationship between the nutritional status and the assessment of oral health, so the present study was done to clarify the impact of nutritional status on the oral health in a group of Egyptian preschool children. Subjects and Methods: This study is a case control study conducted with a sample of 300 children divided equally. Cases are children aged from 3-5 years attending the pediatric malnutrition outpatient clinic of National Nutrition Institute (NNI), Cairo .Both sexes were included. Malnourished cases with hormonal, metabolic, genetic disorders were excluded .Controls were selected from nurseries and kindergarten department of some schools who were apparently healthy and with normal body weight matching with cases in sexes and age range. The sample was subjected to anthropometric measures (weight and height) Dietary intake data of subjects was collected by a specialist dietitian using 24-hour recall and food frequencies of selected food items. General examination for manifestations of malnutrition was performed for all subjects followed by oral examination of subjects which was taken place under adequate illumination in an ordinary chair. Diagnosis of dental caries was carried out according to dmf index for deciduous teeth Assessment of gingival condition was carried out using Gingival index (GI). Data were collected, checked, revised and entered in the computer. Statistical analysis was performed with PASW Statistics 18.0. Results: The study showed the presence of significant association between caries and malnutrition. Oral soft tissue lesions as tongue glossitis and gingivitis are statistically associated with malnutrition. Malnourished cases consume more cariogenic foods (sweets, crunches and fizzy drinks) than controls, however, the difference was not statistically significant. The daily intake of carbohydrates rich foods regarding tubers and sweetened beverages is more among cases compared to controls although no statistical difference. On the other hand the daily intake of fruits is more among controls although no statistical difference. Cases consumed statistically less mean amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, calcium, phosphorous, zinc and vit D contributing to their bad nutritional status. Mean amount of iron showed higher intake among controls although not significant Protein,calcium, phosphorus, vit D, iron and zinc adequacy is statistically low among cases compared to controls. [Wafaa A. Fahmi, Mohamed H. Mostafa; Magda A. El-malt and Al-Shaimaa Abdel Hafiz Abdel Rahim. The Impact of Nutritional Status on the Oral Health in a Group of Egyptian Preschool Children. N Y Sci J 2013;6(1):89-95]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork. 14 Keyword: malnutrition dental caries