Between-Meal Eating Habits and Dental Caries Experience in Preschool Children

Abstract

This study discloses a direct and consistent relationship between dental caries prevalence and the frequency of eating certain between-meal items. As the frequency of eating between meals increased, a corresponding increase was noted in the number of def (primary teeth decayed, missing, and indicated for extraction.) This observation supports current concepts about the frequency of eating refined carbohydrate and the consistency of foodstuffs as they relate to the etiology of dental caries. In descending order of popularity among preschool children, the 3 most frequently eaten between-meal items were gum, candies, and soft drinks.