Hormonal fingerprints: a key to early diagnosis of caries

6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) is one of the widely used anti-hyperthyroid drug used for the treatment of grave's disease. A medicated tool despite being non-invasive, economical and giving reliable results presented with some difficulties, which became prevalent in our subsequent studies, thus prompting us to formulate a new method for predicting oral health status and diseases like diabetes occurring in India.

The current paper would be focusing on the new biological marker-Hormonal Fingerprint that is under trial to predict children for their caries risk susceptibility.

A total of 250 children were selected of age group 6-16 years and PROP sensitivity test was carried out by placing a strip on the dorsal surface of the subject tongue. The hormonal fingerprint was made by measuring the length ratio of the index and ring finger with the help of digital vernier caliper.

The statistical method employed to compute the results were Pearson's Chi-square test and analysis of variance.

Overall results suggested positive correlation between low second-to-fourth digit ratio(2D:4D), i.e. high prenatal androgen levels and high caries index in an Indian population.

The research confirms the impact of hormones on human perception of taste and dietary preferences, which in turn influence their caries index and could also extend way beyond it.