Relationship Between Dietary Patterns and Dental Health in Type I Diabetic Children Compared With Healthy Controls

Abstract

Background:Dietary habits are established in childhood and will persist until adulthood, being one of the human health pillars. Many diseases of humans have roots in the individuals’ diet, of which dental caries are one of the common infectious diseases. Diabetes Mellitus is also considered as the most common metabolic disorder in children.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary patterns of children with type I Diabetes Mellitus with that of non-diabetic children, in relation to dental caries.Materials/Patients and Methods:In this study, 31 patients (13 boys and 18 girls, mean age of 11 ± 5.4 years) with type I Diabetes Mellitus referred to the Diabetes Mellitus Center and university hospitals were selected. Controls were 31 healthy students matched for age and sex. The study was based on the data obtained from the questionnaire containing information about dietary patterns and oral hygiene habits, social class and decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index. Dietary patterns were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire developed on the basis of caries preventing or inducing foods and then scored. Data were analyzed by using the t-test and McNamara’s test.Results:Diabetic children had less frequent cariogenic snacks than their controls. The mean diet scores for diabetic and healthy subjects were 7.65 ± 3.27 and 11.9 ± 2.03 (P < 0.05), respectively. There was no significant difference in DMFT between the diabetics and controls (3.71 ± 2.48 vs. 4.35 ± 2.74, respectively). There were also no differences in frequency of tooth brushing and use of mouth washes. However, more diabetics reported that they have never used dental floss compared to controls (42.2% vs. 71%, P < 0.05). Having cheese with bread as snack was more prevalent in diabetics (P < 0.05).There was a positive correlation between DMFT and dietary scores (r = 0.3, P < 0.05).Conclusions:Controls scored higher in their dietary habits and dental flossing but lower in tooth brushing and mouth washing. More diabetics tend to have snacks like cheese and bread, which is a caries-preventing habit.

Association of salivary triglycerides and cholesterol with dental caries in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…A cross sectional and questionnaire type of study that showed no difference in dental caries among children with DM1 attributed it to snacking of foods that are protective against dental caries . In this study, diabetic children did not differ significantly from the control group with regard to dental caries status as opposed to the usual scenario where diabetic children are expected to have much more carious lesions.…”

Dental caries,diabetes mellitus, metabolic control and diabetes duration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Eleven studies reported a DMFT/DMFS index significantly higher among type 1 diabetics, four found a significantly lower index and 20 did not find statistically significant differences between groups.…”

“…Forty‐five articles regarding caries experience among type 1 diabetics were analyzed (Table ). Regarding type 2 diabetes 17 studies were included (Table ).…”

“…The majority of the studies regarding type 1 diabetes only included children . In most studies, the control group was recruited from schools or dental clinics.…”

“…Studies evaluating patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes together were excluded from this review. Although a large number of risk factors are common to these two types of patients, the higher prevalence of periodontal disease associated with type 2 diabetics, the differences in dietary habits, as well as the different medical complications associated with them, for example, can make it difficult to interpret the results …”