Int J Dent Hyg 2023 Aug 01;213:561-568. doi: 10.1111/idh.12662.

Relation between caries experience and the consumption of sweetened drinks and processed food in children: A population-based study.

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OBJECTIVES: Diet can play a role in caries disease and the consumption of ultra-processed foods has increased over the years. The purpose was to propose predictive models on the relation between caries experience, diet, sex, and oral health aspects. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 5213 schoolchildren aged 2-11 years and a questionnaire based on WHO Oral Health Survey was applied to assess the intake of sugary foods, oral hygiene practices, access to health services and parents' perception; dmft/DMFT index, biofilm accumulation and orthodontic treatment need were assessed by 6 calibrated dentists. RESULTS: The logistic model showed that female sex and presence of biofilm increased the chance of having early childhood caries; besides, this chance increased by 17% for each additional day of sweetened drink intake. In children aged 6-11 years, a negative binomial regression model showed that the absence of biofilm and frequency of toothbrushing were related to lower caries index, while male sex and the consumption of salty snacks and cake/cookies were related to higher dmft+DMFT index. Disagreement or weak agreement between caregivers' perception of the presence of dental caries and children's need for dental treatment was found. CONCLUSION: Early childhood caries was dependent on the consumption of sweetened drinks and the presence of biofilm, while in older children the caries experience was predicted by the consumption of snacks, cakes and biscuits, biofilm accumulation and toothbrushing frequency, emphasizing the need of health education to encourage healthy eating habits and oral care with an approach to parents/caregivers to prevent dental caries development.

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