Dietary habits that affect the caries experience in Mexican adolescents. An odds ratio study

Background: Dental caries was believed to be a sugar-dependent disease caused by acidogenic bacteria in dental plaque that cause hard tissue degeneration. For this reason, this study aimed to determine the association between adolescents’ dietary habits and caries experience. Methods: 100 adolescents were evaluated for their DMFt levels (decayed, missing and filled teeth), ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System), pH (hydrogen potential) and salivary volume. According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2022, dietary information was assessed by answering a questionnaire concerning acidic and cariogenic foods. Results: Adolescents were primarily males (53%), with an average age of 16.03 ± 0.68 years. DMFt scores showed a low caries rate (36%). The ICDAS averaged 0.58 ± 0.43, with values ranging from 0.05 to 2.17. Most of the adolescents had a basic pH with a mean of 7.5 ± 0.67 and a salivary volume of 1.74 ± 0.70 mL. In the Pearson correlation, salivary volume and pH were not significantly correlated with ICDAS values (p = 0.815). Consumption of industrial juice and sweetened drinks was positively associated with caries experience, with p-values of 0.01 and 0.04, respectively. Regarding ICDAS evaluation, 94% of the tested subjects presented caries in enamel and dentin. Of these, 66% exhibited a white spot identified as the first and distinct visual enamel changes, ICDAS code 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions: To prevent further progression of these lesions, we recommend remineralizing therapy. The consumption of industrial juices and sweetened drinks should also be reduced.