Caries is a problem that in reality can be even worse than we think about it.
Not so long ago, data from a new study was released, according to which caries can slow down growth in children. The study first appeared online in the journal Pediatrics and has since been followed up at University College London and the King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia.
The research team wanted to explore the relationship between oral health and children's growth after previous studies had failed to provide conclusive evidence either way. In this study, the researchers followed Saudi Arabian children aged 6 to 8 years who had tooth decay. They tried to establish a ratio: height / weight and damaged teeth.
Children's oral health was assessed using the DMFT scale. This is a scale that determines the quantity and quality of caries-damaged, missing and filled teeth.
The research team later analyzed the statistics and concluded that there was in fact a link between small height/weight children and more oral problem areas. Children with severe caries are likely to be smaller in height and weight compared to their peers.
Even if we take into account that there are secondary factors, such as the demographic situation and the standard of living of the population, there is still a relationship between caries and stunted child growth. In fairness, it should be said that there is an inverse relationship between growth and caries in children. However, the results of this study are yet to be confirmed in larger scientific projects.