The Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Oral Health

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07427095

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital200 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to examine the potential relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and the presence of dental caries and periodontal disease, and to evaluate the role of the Ultra-Processed Food Index (UPFI) in this association. The main question it aims to answer is: Does increased consumption of ultra-processed foods raise the risk or severity of dental caries and periodontal disease in individuals? Participants will include individuals within a specified age range who voluntarily agree to participate in the study. Oral health status will be assessed through standard clinical parameters, including the presence of caries, plaque index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Dietary habits will be evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and individual UPFI scores will be calculated. The study will aim to observe and analyze the effects of ultra-processed food consumption on oral health outcomes.

This observational study will aim to investigate the association between ultra-processed food consumption and oral health outcomes, specifically focusing on dental caries and periodontal disease. Participants will include individuals within a defined age range who consent to take part in the study. Oral health status will be clinically assessed using standard parameters such as the presence of carious lesions, plaque index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Dietary intake will be evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and individual Ultra-Processed Food Index (UPFI) scores will be calculated. The study will analyze whether a higher intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk or severity of dental caries and periodontal disease. Findings from this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of modern dietary patterns on oral health and highlight the importance of nutritional strategies in preventive dentistry.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

200

Conditions

Ultra-processed Food

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals between the ages of 18 and 65, * Individuals with at least 20 teeth, * Not having received periodontal treatment in the last 6 months, * Not having taken antibiotics, steroids, and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 3 weeks, * Not having any autoimmune disease, osteoporosis, or cancer, * Not using immunosuppressive drugs, oral contraceptives, or bisphosphonates, * Not being pregnant, * Not having an active infectious disease (acute hepatitis, tuberculosis, AIDS), * Not using chronic medications that affect periodontal tissues (cyclosporine A, Phenytoin), * Not having taken antioxidant supplements in the last 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with endocrine or genetic disorders such as hypothyroidism, type 1 diabetes mellitus, or Cushing's syndrome * Patients with active infectious disease * Patients taking medications that may affect periodontal tissues * Patients who have recently taken antibiotics (within 4 months) * Patients with alcohol/drug use * Patients with psychological disorders * Patients with eating disorders, dementia * Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding * Patients with any food allergies * Patients who do not sign the informed consent form

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Ultra-Processed Food Index (UPFI)

This index system is a quantitative indicator used to measure the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diets of individuals or populations. It is expressed as a score system and shows how much of the total daily energy intake comes from ultra-processed foods. It is usually calculated from dietary data of an individual or group.

Time frame: Day 1

Secondary Outcomes

Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) Index

D stands for decayed tooth

Time frame: Day 1

Community Periodontal Index (CPI) Score

The Community Periodontal Index (CPI) will be used to assess periodontal status. Gingival bleeding, calculus, and periodontal pocket depth will be assessed. Possible scores are as follows: 0 - Healthy; 1. \- Bleeding after probing; 2. \- Calculus; 3. \- Pocket 4-5 mm; 4. \- Pocket 6 mm or greater. The highest CPI score for each sextant will be recorded from six tooth indices (16, 11, 26, 36, 31, and 46). Each tooth indices will be carefully measured using a mirror and a 0.5 mm ball-end WHO probe, applying a force of approximately 20 g.

Time frame: Day 1

Age

Age is a demographic variable representing the time elapsed since birth and is a fundamental determinant in the assessment of health outcomes.

Time frame: Day 1

Waist Circumference

Waist Circumference: The individual stands upright. A tape measure is taken horizontally at the narrowest point of the waist (usually between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hipbone). It is expressed in cm.

Time frame: Day 1

Gender

Gender is a demographic variable referring to the biological classification of an individual as female or male.

Time frame: Day 1

Weight satisfaction

Weight satisfaction is a psychosocial indicator reflecting an individual's subjective level of satisfaction with their current body weight.

Time frame: Day 1

Educational level

Educational level is a sociodemographic indicator representing the highest level of formal education completed by an individual.

Time frame: Day 1

Income level

Income level is a socioeconomic indicator reflecting the economic status of an individual or household and influencing health behaviors and access to healthcare

Time frame: Day 1

Smoking status

Smoking status is a behavioral variable indicating the use of tobacco products and is a risk factor for numerous systemic and oral diseases.

Time frame: Day 1

Toothbrushing frequency

Toothbrushing frequency is an oral health behavior indicator representing how often an individual brushes their teeth on a daily or weekly basis to maintain oral hygiene.

Time frame: Day 1

Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) Index

M refers to the number of teeth lost due to decay.

Time frame: Day 1

Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) Index

F refers to the number of filled teeth.

Time frame: Day 1

Height

Height: a measure of vertical distance, vertical dimension, or vertical position.

Time frame: Day 1

Weight

Weight is the gravitational force exerted on an object.

Time frame: Day 1

The Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Oral Health

Overview

Conditions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts