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The Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Oral Health

Investigating the Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Caries and Periodontal Disease

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07427095
Enrollment
200
Registered
2026-02-23
Start date
2026-04-27
Completion date
2026-10-26
Last updated
2026-02-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Ultra-processed Food

Keywords

Ultra-Processed Food, tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral health

Brief summary

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.

Detailed description

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.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

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

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ultra-Processed Food Index (UPFI)Day 1This 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.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) IndexDay 1D stands for decayed tooth
Community Periodontal Index (CPI) ScoreDay 1The 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.
AgeDay 1Age is a demographic variable representing the time elapsed since birth and is a fundamental determinant in the assessment of health outcomes.
Waist CircumferenceDay 1Waist 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.
GenderDay 1Gender is a demographic variable referring to the biological classification of an individual as female or male.
Weight satisfactionDay 1Weight satisfaction is a psychosocial indicator reflecting an individual's subjective level of satisfaction with their current body weight.
Educational levelDay 1Educational level is a sociodemographic indicator representing the highest level of formal education completed by an individual.
Income levelDay 1Income level is a socioeconomic indicator reflecting the economic status of an individual or household and influencing health behaviors and access to healthcare
Smoking statusDay 1Smoking status is a behavioral variable indicating the use of tobacco products and is a risk factor for numerous systemic and oral diseases.
Toothbrushing frequencyDay 1Toothbrushing 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.
HeightDay 1Height: a measure of vertical distance, vertical dimension, or vertical position.
WeightDay 1Weight is the gravitational force exerted on an object.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTOguz KOSE, Professor Dr.
oguz.kose@erdogan.edu.tr+90 541 348 64 65

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 25, 2026