RELATIONS BETWEEN ERUPTION OF PERMANENT TEETH AND BODY MASS INDEX IN BULGARIAN CHILDREN

Introduction: Obesity and dental caries are diseases that have a strong social impact. Being overweight and obesity during childhood are a risk factor for cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal diseases and other health problems in both children and adults. Aim: The aim of the study is to estimate the relationship between tooth eruption, tooth pathology and BMI in 7-8 year old Bulgarian children. Methods and Material: The present study observed 187 individuals. Oral and dental status were examined. The height was measured in a standing position with an anthropometer, weight was measured with an electric scale to the nearest 0.1 kg, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results: A positive relation is found between the eruption of teeth and BMI. A statistically significant association is found between BMI and dental caries on the upper left first molar (26). Conclusion: A high percentage of the examined children were overweight and obese. A positive but low correlation between BMI, tooth eruption and dental caries is established. With the increase of the BMI, the number of erupted teeth also increases. Girls had more erupted teeth compared with boys. The caries of the first molar (26) correlate positively with the nutritional status of the 7-8 year old children studied.