Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dental caries are influenced by the interplay of tooth structure, biofilm, dietary sugars, salivary factors, and genetic predispositions. However, limited research has examined the relationship between sugar intake and dental caries in adults. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cariogenic dietary intake and dental caries among adults, utilizing data from the Azar cohort study. METHODS: This secondary cross-sectional study utilized baseline data from the Azar Cohort, conducted in 2014 among adults aged 35 to 70 in Shabestar, Iran. Participants who were completely edentulous or had incomplete data were excluded from the analysis. Individuals with a reported daily energy intake of less than 800 or more than 8,000 kilocalorie/day were excluded from the analysis. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 8,479 participants were deemed eligible for analysis.Data for the Azar Cohort were collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardized and validated questionnaire. The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index was evaluated by a trained examiner in accordance with the national PERSIAN cohort protocol. The cariogenic diet was categorized into simple sugars and grains/starches. Daily meal frequency was divided into four groups. Associations were analyzed using negative binomial regression with a log link, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 8,479 participants were deemed eligible for inclusion. The mean DMFT score was 15.68 ± 6.78. A significant positive association was identified between high simple sugar intake (≥ 56.68 g/day) and DMFT scores. However, no significant associations were observed regarding grain/starch intake or meal frequency. CONCLUSION: The conclusion drawn from this study is that a high daily intake of simple sugars is strongly correlated with elevated DMFT scores among adults. Implementing sugar reduction policies could serve as a cohesive strategy for the prevention and control of various non-communicable diseases, including dental caries.