Colonization resistance of oral mucosa in individuals with diverse body mass index

Introduction: Colonization resistance of the oral cavity is an important protective factor of local immunity, which prevents the adhesion and proliferation of microorganisms on the oral mucosa.

Objectives: The research aimed to discover the colonization resistance state of the oral mucosa of young patients with different body mass indices and their dependence on the intensity of the teeth carious and inflammatory response of the gums.

Material and methods: The survey conducted on 132 Ukrainians of all genders, with aged ranging from 18 to 22 years. Body mass index (BMI) was determined, which was the distribution factor. Oral status was detected by decay, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, oral hygiene index (OHI) and papilla bleeding index (PBI) determination. Colonization resistance of the oral mucosa was defined by microscopy of the buccal epithelium using a light microscope with a magnification of ×400.

Results: 21.2% of patients with normal BMI had colonization resistance index (CRI) 0, 78.8% – CRI 1. In patients with extra weight, 44.5% had CRI 0, 38.9% – CRI 1, 16.6 – CRI 2. In patients with 1st degree obesity, 64.5% had CRI 0, 25.8% – CRI 1, 9.7% – CRI 2. In patients with 2nd degree obesity, 68.75% presented CRI 0, 31.25% – CRI 1.

Conclusions: With satisfactory oral hygiene in patients with diverse BMI the severity of gingivitis was different. This indicates that the systemic response of the organism in patients with BMI over 30 kg/m2 is the crucial determining factor that influences the manifestation of the disease, as a response to local pathogenic factor – dental plaque. Therefore, in patients with 1st and 2nd degree obesity, in 70% of patients, suppression of colonization resistance of the oral mucosa was observed, compared with patients with normal BMI where the frequency of patients with colonization resistance disturbance was 2.5 times lower.