Pediatric Research Determines That Tooth Decay in Infants are Linked to Malnutrition and Obesity

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The director of the diabetes, endocrinology, and pediatric fellowship program at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and an associate professor of pediatrics at the same hospital, Dr. Kathleen Bethin, has presented some amazing research determinations with regard to tooth decay at the Endocrine Society’s yearly annual meeting in San Diego.

Along with her team, Dr. Bethin conducted a sample study of 65 infants between the ages of 2 and 5 who had cavities and were in need of treatment.

From this sample of infants it was determined that about 28% of those children had an obese body mass index and were overweight is 5% greater than the national average, and also indicated that these children exceeded the recommended calorie range of 1,200 by 7% for children of their age.

The study emphasized that the difference wasn’t as much due to making the wrong type food choices and overeating.

The findings of the research study are important because of lack of published information that associates infant tooth decay with diabetes and obesity.

During her presentation, Dr. Breslin has stated that the dentist’s office may be the ideal location to teach families about their nutrition and the risks that are associated with dental decay and obesity.

With childhood cavities and obesity increasing in the US, it is obvious that additional research is required on this subject.