Caries experience in 15-year-old school children in Bangalore with inherited taste sensitivity levels to 6-n-propylthiouracil: an observational study.

Aim:   The relationship between sugar consumption and caries has been researched extensively for many years. The individual drive for the consumption of sweet food is controlled by a variety of biologic, psychologic, and sociologic factors. Sweet preference has been linked to bitter taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil, a heritable trait. The present study investigates the association between inherited taste sensitivity to 6-n-popylthiouracil and dental caries experience in 15-year-old school children.

Methods:   Two hundred 15-year-old school children from randomly selected schools in Bangalore, India, participated in the study. Data were collected regarding demographic factors and socioeconomic status by personal interviews with the children. Sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil was determined using Tepper filter paper method, and the responses were recorded on the labeled magnitude scale. Each child was examined thoroughly for oral hygiene status and caries experience. Appropriate statistical tests, such as chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, were used to analyze the data.

Results:   Non-tasters were significantly associated with caries experience (P < 0.001). The decayed component in non-tasters (3.43 ± 2.18) was statistically significant when compared to tasters (2.86 ± 1.58 medium tasters, 1.50 ± 0.55 supertasters).

Conclusions:   After all associated factors were controlled, 6-n-propylthiouracil taste status was the only independent variable significantly related to overall caries experience.