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Updated: May 15, 2026

Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
Association of GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genotypes with risk for dental caries
G V Kulkarni1, T Chng, K M Eny
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada. g.kulkarni@utoronto.ca
Abstract:
To determine whether common polymorphisms in the sweet taste receptor (TAS1R2) and glucose transporter (GLUT2) genes are associated with dental caries, 80 healthy Caucasian individuals aged 21-32 years were genotyped and grouped based on the TAS1R2 (Ile191Val) and GLUT2 (Thr110Ile) polymorphisms. Clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted by a single examiner who was blinded to the genotypes. To assess caries prevalence, three different caries scores were determined: DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth), DMFT + X-ray and ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System). Associations between genotypes and caries prevalence were analyzed using Student's t test. Based on the genotypes for each of the GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genes, individuals were stratified into four groups for comparison of caries scores. A higher DMFT score (mean ± SE; 4.3 ± 0.4 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.04) was observed among carriers of the Ile allele for GLUT2 (risk group). Carriers of the Val allele for TAS1R2 (resistant group) demonstrated lower caries scores: DMFT (4.1 ± 0.5 vs. 5.8 ± 0.9, p = 0.05), DMFT + X-ray (4.9 ± 0.6 vs. 7.5 ± 0.9, p = 0.01), and ICDAS (19.5 ± 2.2 vs. 26.14 ± 2.82, p = 0.03). Based on genotype stratification, caries scores were significantly lower in the double resistant group as compared to the double risk groups: DMFT (9.1 ± 0.08 vs. 4.2 ± 0.01, p < 0.01), DMFT + X-ray (10.5 ± 0.07 vs. 5.2 ± 0.01, p < 0.01) and ICDAS (32.9 ± 0.2 vs. 19.9 ± 0.01, p = 0.01). In conclusion, GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genotypes individually and in combination are associated with caries risk. Considering the combination of risk/resistance genotypes might further our understanding of genetic predispositions to dental caries and improve the accuracy of caries prediction models.
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