Method: Thirty-one preschool children (3–4 years) were followed for one year and divided into two groups: caries (CA n=16) and no caries development (NC n=15). Before the clinical examinations (WHO+early caries lesions criteria), the presence of clinically visible dental plaque was recorded. Plaque F concentration, expressed as μg F/mg of dry weight, was determined by measurement with an ion-specific electrode. A diet chart was used to estimate the mean daily sugar exposure. The results were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests, the Spearman correlation and logistic regression analyses (α=0.05).
Result:
The results of means, medians and standard errors of fluoride concentration in dental plaque and total sugar/sucrose consumption frequencies at baseline and at follow-up in the group of children that developed caries and in the group that did not were respectively: No caries development: 0.11(0.03)±0.04a; 0.01(0.00) ±0.0b; 6.07(6.65) ±0.36a; 7.42(8.00)±0.82a; 5.14(5.65) ±0.39a 6.51(7.00)±0.82a; Caries development: 0.03(0.02)±0.01a 0.02(0.01)±0.00a; 6.31(6.65)±0.48a; 10.19(10.33)±1.00b; 5.22(5.16)±0.45a 9.06(9.33)±0.99b. The results also revealed statistical differences between groups with respect to sugar/sucrose exposure in the solid+liquid form and sucrose exposure in the liquid form only at follow-up (p<0.05). Positive correlations were identified between caries increment and liquid sucrose and solid+liquid sucrose/sugar (p<0.05). Children with plaque F concentrations igual ou menor que 0.1 μg/mg at baseline were 10 times more likely to develop caries during the period of study(p=0.047). Solid sugar/sucrose, solid+liquid sugar and total sugar exposures at baseline showed significant positive correlations with the presence of plaque at follow-up respectively (r=0.525 p=0.002/r=0.365 p=0.044/r=0.422 p=0.018).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that in the presence of a high sugar exposure, dental plaque fluoride concentration is a strong predictor of caries development in early childhood.