Does Diet Acidity Increase Dental Caries of School Aged Children?

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between diet PRAL value and saliva pH and oral health by considering the cariogenic and protective effects of foods in children. Subjects and Method: The study was conducted on 188 healthy children (96 girls and 92 boys aged 12). Salivary sample of children was taken at least two hour after main meal. Salivary buffer capacity was evaluated as low (pH<4), normal (pH4-6) and high (pH>6). The 24-hour food records were taken one day before the salivary sample collection and diet PRAL was calculated for evaluation of dietary acidity. Negative values and/or decrease in PRAL meant a shift to an alkaline level whereas a positive and/or increase in PRAL was considered as a shift in acidic level. Oral examination was performed by a dentist. Number of decay, missed and filled in permanent tooth (DMFT) and in primary tooth (dmft) and tooth surface (DMFS-dmfs) were calculated. Results: 48.3% of children have at least one tooth decay and 34.4% of children have at least one filled tooth. 66.1% of children have low buffer capacity and total decayed teeth are positively correlated with buffer capacity pH (p<0.05). Dietary PRAL was negatively correlated with vegetable and fruit consumption (p <0.01). There was no significant difference between PRAL values of children with or without decayed teeth (p>0.05). Furthermore dietary PRAL value was only positively correlated with the number of milk tooth fillings (p<0.05). Conclusion: Diet PRAL value is affected by variety of food groups therefore it can effect oral health. Increasing vegetables and fruit consumption in children nutrition so decreasing diet PRAL value provide more alkaline nutrition and this is effective for oral health protection.