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NCT Number: NCT07427095

The Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Oral Health

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Ultra-processed Food Dental Caries Mouth Diseases Periodontal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases Tooth Demineralization Tooth Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Department of Periodontology of the Faculty of Dentistry of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University

Rize, Rize Province, 53200, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Ultra-Processed Food Index (UPFI)

    Time frame: Day 1

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) Index

    Time frame: Day 1

    D stands for decayed tooth

  2. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) Score

    Time frame: Day 1

    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;

    • - Bleeding after probing;
    • - Calculus;
    • - Pocket 4-5 mm;
    • - 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.

  3. Age

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  4. Waist Circumference

    Time frame: Day 1

    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.

  5. Gender

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  6. Weight satisfaction

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  7. Educational level

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  8. Income level

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  9. Smoking status

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  10. Toothbrushing frequency

    Time frame: Day 1

    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.

  11. Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) Index

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  12. Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT) Index

    Time frame: Day 1

    F refers to the number of filled teeth.

  13. Height

    Time frame: Day 1

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

  14. Weight

    Time frame: Day 1

    Weight is the gravitational force exerted on an object.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Oguz KOSE, Professor Dr.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 541 348 64 65

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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