The relationship between sweetness preference, levels of salivary mutans streptococci and caries experience in Brazilian pre-school children

Aim . To analyse the relationship between preference for sweetness, levels of salivary mutans streptococci and levels of caries in low socio-economic 4–5-year-old Brazilian children.
Design . A cross-sectional survey.
Subjects and methods . 298 children of both sexes, who, in 1998, were regularly attending public nurseries were randomly selected. Caries experience was assessed according to WHO guidelines. Saliva samples were analysed for mutans streptococci using the spatula method. Children's preference for sugar was measured using the 'Sweet Preference Inventory'. Personal interviews with the mothers were conducted.
Results . 255 children completed all aspects of the research, a response rate of 85·6%. 34·9% of them were caries-free. The mean dmf-s was 4·25 (SD 6·16), the decayed component being 3·56 (SD 5·82) and the filled surfaces, 0·69 (SD 1·85). For these pre-school children; male sex ( P < 0·01), single parent ( P < 0·01), habit of eating or drinking items that contained non-milk extrinsic sugar between meal times ( P < 0·05) and high levels of salivary mutans streptococci ( P < 0·001) were significantly associated with higher dmfs scores. There was no statistical relationship between sweetness preference and dental caries and with mutans streptococci levels.
Conclusion . Levels of salivary mutans streptococci but not sweetness preference were potential good predictors of caries experience among 4–5 years-old-children living in urban area of Brazil.