Assessment of Correlation of Salivary Factors with Genetic Taste Perception in Preschool Children with and without Early Childhood Caries: An In Vivo Study.
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Abstract
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) has a prevalence of 46.9% in India and a complex multifactorial etiology primarily governed by individual food preferences, oral hygiene practices, and salivary constituents. Food preferences are genetically predetermined by the TAS2R38 gene, mediating insensitivity to bitter taste, like that of phenylthiouracil (PTC). Based on this, people can be classified as tasters and nontasters, respectively, aiding in determining their caries susceptibility. Oral hygiene practices and saliva also play a major role in the inherent protective mechanisms that can be quantified by measuring the salivary flow rate, buffering capacity, and pH.
Aim: The aim of this study was to find a correlation of various salivary factors with PTC taste sensitivity and its comparison in children with and without ECC.
Materials and methods: The study comprised 86 participants-43 with and 43 without ECC. The PTC strip test was done to determine genetic taste perception, and facial expressions of the child were recorded. Salivary collection was done, followed by the estimation of buffering capacity, pH, and flow rate. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) was then recorded.
Results: A strong positive correlation was seen between nontaster participants and ECC. Salivary flow rate and pH were slightly lower in children with ECC. Nontaster caries-free participants also reported a twice-daily brushing habit with fluoridated toothpaste.
Conclusion: The present study highlights a strong positive relationship between the occurrence of dental caries in individuals and their genetic taste perception, suggesting that nontasters, who tend to prefer sweeter and more intense flavors, are more prone to dental caries.
How to cite this article: Kulshrestha A, Shah P, Chaudhary S, et al. Assessment of Correlation of Salivary Factors with Genetic Taste Perception in Preschool Children with and without Early Childhood Caries: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(3):293-298.
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