121 - Physical Activity As It Relates To Dental Decay

Friday, May 26, 2023

9:40 AM – 9:55 AM

Location: Exhibit Hall

Has Audio

Presenting Author(s)

Jordan Marsh, DDS

PGY-2 Resident
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Co-Author(s)

GH

Gregory Hawk, PhD

University of Kentucky

Program Director(s)

Perez Cristina, DDS

Assistant Professor Division of Pediatric Dentisty
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Physical Activity As It Relates To Dental Decay
Jordan Marsh, DDS, Gregory S. Hawk, PhD, Cristina Perez DDS MS Diplomate ABOP, ABPD
Abstract
Purpose: The association between increased physical activity and decreased levels of obesity has been well documented. It is believed that this is due to not only an increased expenditure of calories, but also a reduction of negative behaviors, which may include poor oral health and caries promoting behaviors. In theory, children who spend less time being physically active, in turn, spend more time participating in caries promoting behaviors. Previous research has uncovered various causes of dental decay; however, there is very limited information on if levels of physical fitness/physical activity play any role. This study aims to investigate the relationship between levels of physical activity in 6 to 12 year old children and caries experience.
Methods:  Participant parents complete a survey via REDCap consisting of questions regarding physical activity, oral health habits, and caries risk factors of their child. Patients receive a comprehensive dental examination, including bitewing radiographs and an accurate dental history to determine DMFT/dmft scores. Descriptive statistics for all variables will be tabulated. To model the relationship between the total number of teeth affected by caries and the various measures of physical activity and oral health habits, a series of quasi-Poisson regression models will be used, which allow for potential overdispersion.
Results: 12 parents (24%) reported their child participated in less than 1 hour of physical activity per day, 22 (44%) reported 1-2 hours, 12 (24%) reported 3-4 hours, and 4 (8%) reported 5+ hours. There was a statistically significant relationship between DMFT/dmft score and participation in at least one team sport with a mean DMFT/dmft score of 2.43 in children who did not participate and 5.06 in children who did participate. (p=.010). A statistically significant relationship was found between number of times brushing per day and DMFT/dmft with patients reporting brushing 0 times a day having a mean score of 11, one time a day having a mean of 6.08, two times a day having a mean of 3.51 and 3+ times a day having a mean of 3.00 (p=.032).

Conclusions and practical implications: The results show no statistical significance between frequency of physical activity and DMFT/dmft, in fact there were slightly higher mean scores for the more active groups (3-4 hours and 5+ hours). Another interesting finding was a statistically significant higher DMFT/dmft score for children participating in recreational sports. Possible explanations for these findings could be that other factors have more influence on DMFT/dmft such as diet and beverages, with more active children having less free time and higher caloric intake needs leading to increased snacking/meals containing highly processed foods.