The aim was to assess the correlation between periodontal status, whole salivary interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels and oral yeasts carriage (OYC) among individuals with varying ranges of body mass index (BMI). Material and method: The weight, waist circumference (WC), and height of individuals were assessed. Participants were categorized into three groups: Group-1 - normal weight (18.5-24.9 Kg/m2)
Group-2 - overweight (25-29.9 Kg/m2)
and Group-3 - obese (≥ 30 Kg/m2). Plaque and gingival indices (PI and GI, respectively), probing depth (PD), clinical-attachment-loss (CAL), missing teeth (MT) and marginal-bone-loss (MBL) were assessed. Whole salivary IL-1β levels and OYC were assessed. Group-comparisons were done. P <
0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: Twenty-two, 22 and 22 individuals with comparable mean ages were included in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean WC and BMI were higher in Group 3 than Groups 1 (P <
0.05) and 2 (P <
0.05). The mean PI, CAL, PD, GI, MT and MBL were higher in Group-3 than groups 1 (P <
0.05) and 2 (P <
0.05). There was no difference in mean PI, CAL, PD, GI, MT and MBL in groups 1 and 2. The salivary flow rate was higher in groups 1 (P <
0.05) and 2 (P <
0.05) than Group-3. The OYC and IL-1β were higher in Group-3 than groups 1 (P <
0.05) and 2 (P <
0.05). There was a correlation between PD and OYC in Group-3 (P <
0.05). Conclusion: Periodontal inflammation is worse, and whole salivary IL-1β levels are elevated in obese than overweight individuals and subjects with normal BMI. There seems to be no association between BMI and OYC.