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New Study Explores Relationship Between Cavities and Obesity

With a little saliva and the photos of some pearly whites, researchers in a new pilot study hope to find out whether cavities and obesity are related. Knowing whether the two are linked could help prevent dental and medical problems often faced by toddlers who have cavities.

The team of researchers found that cavities and obesity share many risk factors, such as eating a lot of carbohydrates and the presence of the same bacteria in an individual. To investigate the possibility of a connection, researchers will take saliva samples from 50 women and their toddlers in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, as well as photos of participants’ teeth. The scientists —Suzanne Phelan, Navid Fardanesh and Marilyn Tseng — bring expertise in obesity, dentistry and public health nutrition.

"This is an exciting study because our research could help fill a large gap in the scientific literature as to whether cavities are related to obesity and if so, how,” said kinesiology senior Emma Scudero, who is helping to pilot the study through her role as a Frost Research Fellow. “This information could help improve the oral and overall health of moms and kids everywhere."

Historically, cavity prevention has focused on exposing children to fluoride, which has not consistently been effective, partially due to limited access to fluorinated public water. Depending on the study’s results, researchers may use pilot data to test whether weight loss interventions with pregnant moms could affect babies’ oral health.

The researchers are recruiting 50 women in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Moms will be compensated $30 for their participation.

During the one-visit study conducted when the toddler is 36 to 42 months old, mom and child will give salvia samples and have pictures of their mouths taken by trained assistants using an intra-oral camera hand piece. The study dentist will analyze the pictures to see whether participants have had cavities. Moms will also complete surveys during the visit about the health and history of participants and their toddlers.

Moms will be recruited from past studies as well as through community outreach on the radio and at doctors’ and dentists’ offices.

 

To find out more information about the study, please contact Emma Scudero at emscuder@calpoly.edu.

 

The Oral Health for Kids study (logo pictured above) will start this summer.

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