Dietary Determinants of Dental Caries Prevalence and Experience in Saudi Schoolchildren: Frequency versus Quantity

Abstract

Background. Sugar-added diet has been associated with increased risk of developing dental caries. Objective. To investigate the dietary determinants of caries prevalence and experience based on the frequency versus the quantity of consumption among Saudi schoolchildren. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that invited 12- to 15-year-old intermediate school students (N = 3000) in four cities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data collection comprised a pretested questionnaire and clinical examination. Caries was diagnosed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and was recorded as a decayed, missing, filled tooth (DMFT). The questionnaire included questions regarding the consumption of different quantities and frequencies of multiple sugar-containing food items. Multiple logistic and linear regression models were used to assess the influence of sugar-containing food on the dental caries experience (DMFT) and prevalence of decayed teeth. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data at 5% significance level. Results. Of 3000 invited students, 2262 participated with a participation rate of 75.4%. Our study found that the frequency of soft drink consumption was significantly associated with increased caries prevalence (adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.07–1.65) and experience (adjusted B = 0.46, 95% CI 0.16–0.76). The frequency of consumption of fruit juice was statistically significantly associated with increased caries experience (adjusted B = 0.48, 95% CI 0.16–0.79). The interaction terms between the frequency and the quantity of consumption of energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened milk were statistically significantly related to caries experience and prevalence. Conclusion. Although the frequency of consumption of sugar-containing drinks was more associated with caries experience and prevalence, the interaction between frequency and quantity was highly related to the prevalence and experience of dental caries.

Risk factors for dental caries in adults aged 35-44 years in DKI Jakarta: a cross-sectional study using the 2018 national Riskesdas data

“…38 Al-Zahrani et al found that a high level of consumption of energy drinks can lead to twice greater chance of caries development. 39 This, however, is in contrast to the findings of this study, which revealed that 93.9% of respondents reported taking energy drinks ≤ 3 times per month. This is possibly because the majority of the respondents had never consumed energy drinks; therefore, only a small percentage of them had a risk of developing caries.…”

Investigation of the Antibacterial, Anti-Biofilm, and Antioxidative Effect of Piper betle Leaf Extract against Bacillus gaemokensis MW067143 Isolated from Dental Caries, an In Vitro-In Silico Approach

“…SDS-PAGE revealed the expression of several proteins in the ethanol, methanol, and chloroform extracts of P. betle, respectively, and the control sample. The chloroform extract was observed to suppress the expression of various proteins (50,40,15, and 10 kDa) in a more pronounced way as compared to other extracts and control sample, as shown in Figure 10. The band of 15 kDa was observed in the control sample, which was not found to be expressed in other samples containing bacteria and the extracts of P. betle.…”

“…Caries is a multi-stage disease that manifests over time with various agents of causation, such as dietary intake, lifestyle, smoking, socioeconomic status, and poor oral hygiene, all contributing significantly to its widespread distribution [13]. Apart from these factors, the presence of bacterial species, carbohydrates, and vulnerable tooth surfaces are actively involved in the progression of caries [14,15]. Established treatments for dental caries include the use of fluorides and control of plaque through professional dental treatments and mouthwashes.…”

Frequency of Dental Caries in Undergraduate Dental Students

“…Due to poor dental hygiene habits, increased sugar intake, and a lack of knowledge about fluoride additives, it is currently a major issue for community health in emerging nations [10][11][12][13] . Therefore, it is not surprising that the WHO is calling for commitments for continuous improvement in oral and dental health 14 .…”