How dentists can facilitate in dealing with obesity in children

As a specialist recorder in pediatric dentistry, I saw first hand the children experience because of destitute health. Tooth breakdown occurs when the teeth are damaged by acids produced by oral bacteria that breaks sugar from food and drinks – and although it can be largely prevented – this is the most common reason for Admission to the hospital In children aged five to nine in England.

Tooth breakdown in children is also associated with obesity. Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing other diseases in childhood and adulthood, including diabetes, high blood pressure and non -alcoholic fatty liver disease.

My research, conducted with colleagues from Loughborough University, studies how acceptable and feasible it is for dental teams to offer body weight and support, such as referral to slimming programs, patients during routine visits. In my work as a pediatric dentist, I discuss weight and health with families and offer a referral to local fit lifestyle services.

World Health Organization estimates that 43% Children have a distribution around the world and 20% Children aged 5-19 are overweight or live with obesity.

In England, 29.3% of five -year -olds have a tooth distribution and 21.3% of four and five years old They are overweight or live with obesity. A diet opulent in sweet food and drinks increases the risk of developing both conditions. And evidence suggests that children who are overweight or live with obesity may have more often caries.

Oral disease is also associated with disease in other parts of the body. For example, gum disease is an infection of tissues supporting teeth that has cufflinks with type 2 diabetes. When one disease is poorly controlled, it may worsen. The number of children with type 2 diabetes is increasingwith excessive mass increasing the risk of developing this state.

Considering the connections between diet, teeth distribution, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases that can develop, living with obesity, dental syndromes can be ideal professionals to solve both tooth breakdown and obesity. It may be challenging to see the NHS dentist in Great Britain, but NHS dental teams see millions of children every year And already advise your families to reduce sweet foods and drinks in your diet to reduce the risk of teeth.

Dental syndromes undertaking body measurements are not recent. Height and mass measurements to calculate the body mass indicator (BMI), measures of fats, are already collected by some dental syndromes. These measurements are helpful in prescribing medicines and for planning dental treatment for children in need of general anesthesia or sedation.

Some hospital dental teams, such as in Edinburgh and Dundee in Scotland, also offer weight and height control for children and teenage people as part of routine visits. The child’s weight is discussed with the child’s parent or guardian in a sensitive way, and the families are offered to the local service to support a fit lifestyle.

This opportunity to support the child with the health of the oral cavity, as well as the weight is in line with the NHS initiative, Execution of each number of contacts. The requirement of all contacts requires all healthcare professionals to take advantage of every opportunity as part of visits to patients to facilitate improve patients’ health.

Children living in more areas of Great Britain are at least twice as likely to live overweight and obesity. They are also three times more likely that they have a tooth distribution. NHS aims to reduce these inequalities among children and chose Oral health and diabetes As two key areas of improvement in childcare and teenage people.

Public opinion showed support to dental teams in talks about weight during dental visits and offering tips to lose weight and improve health when it is performed in a supporter. Research published in 2024He stated that over 80% of the population supported weight measurements undertaken by dental teams and a discussion about the weight at dental meetings. Most research in this review came from the USA.

Based on Great Britain questionnaire He asked parents and guardians if they would feel comfortable with the weight and height of the child (Ren), he was forbidden to dental visit in dental practice. The study showed that 58% of parents and guardians would feel comfortable, and another 12% may feel comfortable with this approach.

It was very similar to how adults ending the study felt their own height and weight measured during a dental visit with 60% reporting that they feel comfortable, and another 10% claiming that they may feel comfortable.

Discussion of weight may seem restless, and dental teams say they are worried that they are upset by patients if they talk about weight. Some studies have shown that dental teams are also concerned, that they do not have enough time to talk about weight and that they did not have training how to do it.

However, studies I discovered when weight control and support are offered to families by trained dental teams, facilitate is well received and a lack of time is rarely a problem.

Teeth breakdown and obesity can be prevented in many cases. Both conditions can be in adulthood with the risk of developing other health problems.

Studies show that dental teams are ready to support and that children and their families are open to facilitate in obesity. Dental teams have an crucial role to play, as well as GPS and related healthcare professionals in the fight against obesity in children, as well as tooth breakdown.