Association between dental caries experience and dietary patterns in adults and older adults of Arkhangelsk Region: a cross-sectional population study

BACKGROUND: Studies across countries show associations between dental caries and food consumption. However, links between caries and dietary patterns in adults and older adults living in the European North of Russia remain insufficiently explored.

AIM: This study aimed to examine associations between caries experience and dietary patterns in adult and older adult residents of Arkhangelsk Region.

METHODS: We assessed the dental profile of 1586 participants in the observational cross-sectional study “Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Regions of the Russian Federation. Third Examination” (ESSE-RF3; ages 35–74 years). Participants reported the frequency of consumption of various foods and beverages. We evaluated hard dental tissues according to the methodology of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and recorded the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth), calculated as the sum of decayed (D), filled (F), and missing (M) teeth. To assess associations between the DMFT index and food-consumption frequency, we fitted simple and multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, education, income, occupation, marital status, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

RESULTS: The DMFT index decreased with increasing frequency of vegetable consumption (fresh and cooked) (p _{for trend} < 0.001). Сaries experience was 1.8 points higher among participants who consumed bread and bakery products daily or almost daily than among those who consumed them less than once per week (p = 0.026), which was consistent with increasing caries experience as consumption frequency increased (p _{for trend} < 0.006). Caries experience decreased with higher plain drinking-water intake (p _{for trend} = 0.008). The DMFT index among individuals consuming black tea more than 3 times per day was 2.7 points higher than among nonconsumers (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Among Arkhangelsk Region residents aged 35–74 years, lower caries experience is associated with frequent consumption of vegetables and plain drinking water, whereas higher caries experience is associated with frequent consumption of bread and bakery products and black tea. These findings should inform population-level and individualized caries-prevention programs for adults and older adults.