The association between dental caries and intake of sweets in adults

The association between dental caries and intake ofsweets in adults
Yoriko Matsuoka，Kakuhiro Fukai
Fukai Institute of Health Science

Abstract： Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the association between intake frequency ofsugary foods and beverages and the prevalence of dental caries.
Methods: Data was used from 582 Japanese adults, 20 to 79 yr of age, who first visited a dental
clinic. A total of 511 new patients who had not previously had regular dental check-ups over oncea year before visiting a dental clinic were analyzed. Dental caries prevalence and frequency ofhabitual intake of sugary foods or beverages were examined.
Results: A total of males ranged 1.9% to 29.2% and females ranged 24.5% to 38.9% consumed
sweets almost every day. Younger age group, 20 to 39 yr in both genders more consumed sweets
almost every day than those of others. Males aged 20 to 39 yr who consume sweets almost every
day showed higher DMFT than those of consuming sweets sometimes or never (p=0.056).
Conclusion: Young adults tend to intake sugary foods and beverages more frequently and to havehigher DMFT and Decayed Teeth. This would be one of the key points to improve health guidance for young adults effectively.
Key words : dental caries, sweets, adults

Introduction

reported that the frequency2−9）and the amount4，10）

Evidence from previous studies suggests thatof consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was

the incidence risks of dental caries in adults arerelated with increased risk of dental caries. Espe-associated with the total amount as well as the fre-cially, regular carbonated soft drinks intake wasquency of sugar intakes ． In adults, the studies

associated with higher DMFS for the 25 to 40 yr1）

and over 60 yr Americans6）． Few previous studies are available on the relationship between den【著者連絡先】〒341-0003 埼玉県三郷市彦成 3-86
深井歯科医院・深井保健科学研究所
松岡順子
TEL&FAX：048-957-3315
E-mail：yorikom@wg8.so-net.ne.jp
受付日：2017 年 11 月 22 日 受理日：2017 年 12 月 5 日

tal caries and sugar consumption in adults.
The aim of this study was to examine the association between frequency of sugar intake and theprevalence of dental caries to improve health guidance more effectively on the subject of newpatients visiting a dental clinic.
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Volume 17，No.2（2017）

Methods

ages for the subjects. Dental caries prevalence andData was used from 582 adults, 20 to 79 yr of

consumption frequency of sweets were assessed

age, who first visited a dental clinic located in awith DMFT index and the three alternatives: (1)city, Saitama Prefecture on January, 2010 toalmost every day, (2) sometimes, (3) never, respec-December, 2015. Amounted 71 patients who hadtively. Welch’s t-test was used as statistical analy-

visited for regular dental check-ups over once asis.

year before the dental clinic were excluded due toResults

the unavailable number of data. A total of 511 participants (272 males and 239 females) were ana-

A total of males ranged 1.9% to 29.2% andlyzed, who had not previously had regular dental

females ranged 24.5% to 38.9% consumed sweets

check-ups over once a year before visiting the den-almost every day. Females more consumed

tal clinic. Males were composed of 89 aged 20〜39

sweets almost every day compared with those ofyr, 67 aged 40〜 59 yr, and 116 aged 60〜 79 yr.

males in all of age brackets. Younger adults aged

Females were composed of 72 aged 20〜39 yr, 73

20 to 39 yr in both genders more consumed

aged 40〜59 yr, and 94 aged 60〜79yr.

sweets almost every day than those of others.

One dentist examined dental caries. The self-The relation between consumption frequency ofadministered questionnaires were used, concern-sweets and dental caries was shown in Fig.1-1 anding the habitual intake of sugary foods or bever-Fig1-2. Males aged 20 to 39 yr who consume

Fig. 1-1 Frequency of sweets intake and caries prevalence (DMFT index)
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The association between dental caries and intake of sweets in adults

Fig. 1-2 Frequency of sweets intake and caries prevalence (DMFT index)

sweets almost every day showed higher DMFT

WHO suggests a further reduction of the con-level than those of consuming sweets sometimes

sumption of free sugars to below 5% of total ener-or never (p=0.056). The female group was no sig-

gy intake of roughly 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per

nificantly different relationship between consump-day11）． Among the Finnish adults aged 30 yr ortion frequency and dental caries prevalence in all

more, the amount of sugar consumption signifi-

groups of age. While, only young females aged 20

cantly related with DMFT levels12）． As for fre-〜 39 yr consuming sweets almost every day wasquency of sugar intake, Moynihan P et al. (2004)

correlated with Decayed Teeth compared withsuggested that the consumption of foods with free

those who consume sweets sometimes or neversugars should be limited to maximum 4 times per(p=0.008).

day13）．
As a result of this study, younger group, espeDiscussion

cially females aged 20 to 30 yr tended to consume

A new WHO guideline to prevent non-communi-

sugary foods or beverages more frequently com-

cable diseases and dental caries strongly recom-

pared with those of other aged brackets. Besides,

mends children and adults reduce their daily con-20 to 30 yr males had significantly higher DMFT,

sumption of free sugars to less than 10% of theircompared with the other age groups. Their irregu-total energy or roughly 50 grams (12 teaspoons)lar dental visits cause to increase decayed teeth

per day in 2015. As additional recommendation

without their notice. According to the report of̶ 84 ̶ヘルスサイエンス・ヘルスケア

Bernabé E, et al. (2014), in the participants aged 30〜89 yr, men and younger groups who brush theirteeth once a day or less often reported significantly higher sugar-sweetened beverages9）．
There were some limitations of this present
study. First, more accurate numbers of frequencyof sugary foods and beverages in each day could
not be examined. Second, we could not researchdetails of the concrete aspects of regular dental
check-ups before visiting the dental clinic such as
topical application of fluorides, tooth brushing
instruction. Third, the sample of this study wasrelatively small and cross sectional.
In conclusion, this study shows that young
adults tend to consume sugary foods and beverages more frequently and to have higher DMFT
and DT. This would be one of the key points toimprove health guidance for young adults effectively. Because of lack of available evidence, further research would be needed to examine theassociation between dental caries and sugary
intake of foods and beverages in adults.
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