Factors influencing the caries experience of 6 and 12 year old children in Riga, Latvia

AIM: Authors assessed the influence of drinking tea with sugar, level of cariogenic microflora and use of fluoride toothpaste and tablets on caries experience of 6 and 12 year old children in Riga, Latvia.

METHODS: 141 six and 164 twelve year old children were examined clinically and with bitewing radiographs to determine their dmft/DMFT and dmfs/DMFS. Children or their parents responded to questionnaire on number teaspoons of sugar (TS) used per cup of tea, number of cups of tea consumed daily, using fluoride or non-fluoride toothpaste (TP), frequency of toothbrushing, using fluoride tablets or not (ft). Salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) levels were measured in children with dmft/DMFT>4.0 for age of 6 (73% (n=103)), and for age of 12 (54% (n=88)). Impact of variables in caries status was determined using frequency tables and ANOVA, while proportion differences were tested using chi-square test.

RESULTS: In 6 year olds, statistically significant associations were observed between the salivary microflora (MS, LB) and dt/DT (p=0.032; dt=3.71, DT=0.42), use of F-toothpaste (p=0.020), and TS (p<0.001). In 12 year olds, statistically significant (p<0.01) associations were observed between salivary microflora and dt/DT, ds/DS and dmft/DMFT. In both age groups, significant (p<0.001) association was demonstrated between dmfs/DMFS and salivary microflora, F-toothpaste and TS.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated that the caries development in Latvian children was associated with consumption of sugary tea and use of non-fluoride toothpaste.