Cariogram and caries risk assessment for athletes

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were evaluation and comparison of the caries risk factors in athletes and controls and evaluate the usefulness of cariogram for caries risk assessment in athletes.Materials and Methods: The present study contains two groups (athletes and controls). Eight dental caries risk factors required for built up of the cariogram were recorded. Diary questionnaire used for recording diet content and frequency as well as fluoride exposure and frequency of tooth brushing, saliva samples were used for recording saliva flow rate and pH, direct interview with the participants was used for recording general health condition and dental examination was used for recording past dental history and dental plaque. Results: There were significant differences between athletes and controls as regards past dental history, saliva flow rate, pH and frequency of food intake while the differences were not significant between them regarding diet content, tooth brushing, fluoride exposure and dental plaque. Conclusion: The athletes had high risk for development of dental caries. This high risk may be due to decreased saliva flow rate and pH and increased frequency of food intake. The cariogram model is able to identify caries-related factors in athletes and can help sport dentistry for planning specific preventive program for them.