DENTAL-CARIES IN RELATION TO DIET, SALIVA AND CARIOGENIC MICROORGANISMS IN TANZANIANS OF SELECTED AGE-GROUPS

The relationship between diet and dental caries in a Tanzanian populat ion was studied. Mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, yeasts, salivary f low rate as well as buffer effect were also analyzed. A random sample of 12-, 35-44- and 65- to 74-year olds was drawn from Msongola (rural) and Ukombozi (urban), Dar-es-Salaam. The mean of two 24-h recalls was used for the assessment of food intake. The percentage of those with at least one carious tooth ranged from 30% in the 12-year-olds to 80% in the oldest age group. The mean number of decayed teeth (DT) increas ed significantly with age (P=0.000) but was not significantly associat ed with the area of residence. DT increased significantly (P=0.048) wi th the number of snacks per day and was also associated with dietary s ucrose (P=0.025), total carbohydrates (P=0.002) and fiber (P=0.002). A mong salivary variables lactobacilii (P=0.000) correlated positively w ith DT. Our study did not reveal any strong association between total energy intake and dental caries in rural or urban populations in Tanza nia but snacking and sucrose intake were significantly associated with caries, in particular in the urban area.