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Original Research

Open Access

Dietary habits that affect the caries experience in Mexican adolescents. An odds ratio study

  • Adriana Alejandra Morales-Valenzuela1,*,
  • Elias Nahum Salmerón-Valdés1
  • Juan Sebastian Zuluaga-Morales2
  • Maria de Jesus Serrano-Plata3
  • Wael Hegazy Hassan Moustafa1
  • Ulises Velázquez-Enriquez1
  • Edith Lara-Carrillo1
  • Victor Hugo Toral-Rizo1

1Center for Research and Advanced Studies in Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Autonomous University of Mexico State, 50130 Toluca, STMX, Mexico

2Public Health Department, Autonomous University of Manizales, 170002 Manizales, Colombia

3Center for Research, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Mexico State, 50180 Toluca, STMX, Mexico

DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2025.074 Vol.49,Issue 4,July 2025 pp.41-47

Submitted: 28 September 2024 Accepted: 16 December 2024

Published: 03 July 2025

*Corresponding Author(s): Adriana Alejandra Morales-Valenzuela E-mail: aamoralesv@uaemex.mx

Abstract

Background: Dental caries was believed to be a sugar-dependent disease caused by acidogenic bacteria in dental plaque that cause hard tissue degeneration. For this reason, this study aimed to determine the association between adolescents’ dietary habits and caries experience. Methods: 100 adolescents were evaluated for their DMFt levels (decayed, missing and filled teeth), ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System), pH (hydrogen potential) and salivary volume. According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2022, dietary information was assessed by answering a questionnaire concerning acidic and cariogenic foods. Results: Adolescents were primarily males (53%), with an average age of 16.03 ± 0.68 years. DMFt scores showed a low caries rate (36%). The ICDAS averaged 0.58 ± 0.43, with values ranging from 0.05 to 2.17. Most of the adolescents had a basic pH with a mean of 7.5 ± 0.67 and a salivary volume of 1.74 ± 0.70 mL. In the Pearson correlation, salivary volume and pH were not significantly correlated with ICDAS values (p = 0.815). Consumption of industrial juice and sweetened drinks was positively associated with caries experience, with p-values of 0.01 and 0.04, respectively. Regarding ICDAS evaluation, 94% of the tested subjects presented caries in enamel and dentin. Of these, 66% exhibited a white spot identified as the first and distinct visual enamel changes, ICDAS code 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions: To prevent further progression of these lesions, we recommend remineralizing therapy. The consumption of industrial juices and sweetened drinks should also be reduced.


Keywords

Caries; Epidemiology; Caries risk factors; Caries in adolescents; Cariogenic diet


Cite and Share

Adriana Alejandra Morales-Valenzuela,Elias Nahum Salmerón-Valdés,Juan Sebastian Zuluaga-Morales,Maria de Jesus Serrano-Plata,Wael Hegazy Hassan Moustafa,Ulises Velázquez-Enriquez,Edith Lara-Carrillo,Victor Hugo Toral-Rizo. Dietary habits that affect the caries experience in Mexican adolescents. An odds ratio study. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2025. 49(4);41-47.

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