The relationship between sweetness preference and dental caries in mother/child pairs from Maringá-Pr, Brazil

Abstract

Children's patterns of sugar consumption and dental health status have been associated to their mothers' patterns. As a liking for sweetness has been related to caries levels, this study was carried out to analyse the relationship between sweetness preference and caries experience in mother/child pairs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of low socio-economic mothers and their 4-5-year-olds from Maringá-Pr, Brazil. Mothers' and children's preference for sugar was measured using the Sweet Preference Inventory. Their caries experience was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. High levels of sweetness preference and caries experience were found in the sample studied. Although not strong, a significant correlation in patterns of sweetness preference (r=0.12, P<0.05) and caries experience (r=0.14, P<0.05) between mother/child pairs was identified. Among the social-demographic variables, only family income was statistically associated with the children's preference for sweetness (P<0.05). No significant association between sweetness preference and caries experience could be established. The findings of this study suggest that mothers may play an important role on the establishment of their children dietary preferences and patterns of dental health. Also, that the socio-economic status may influence children's preference for sugar.