Glucose Taste Thresholds in Cariesfree Naval Recruits

Abstract

Glucose taste detection thresholds were determined in 41 cariesfree recruits and 53 recruits with caries experience. Cariesfree detection thresholds ranged from 5 to 45 mM/ liter, with a mean of 13.4 ± 1.7 whereas that of the control group ranged from 5 to 50 mM/ liter with a mean of 22.3 ± 1.7 (P < 0.01). A Kilmogorov-Smirnov two-sample test demonstrated a significant difference in the distribution of thresholds between the two groups (P < 0.01). These observations are in accordance with previous studies demonstrating that cariesfree recruits display lower sucrose taste detection thresholds than recruits with caries experience.