Effectiveness of Pomegranate as a Dietary Intervention for Early Childhood Caries Prevention: A Randomized Control...

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant public health issue that require effective preventive strategies. Pomegranate, rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, has been proposed as a dietary intervention for ECC prevention.

To assess the effectiveness of pomegranate in reducing ECC, improving salivary pH, and enhancing oral health over 12 months.

This randomized controlled study included 500 children aged 3-6 years, who were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group consumed pomegranate extract, while the control group received standard oral hygiene education. Dental examinations assessed Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores and salivary pH at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Statistical analyses included paired and unpaired t-tests for intragroup and intergroup comparisons, analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, and regression analysis to evaluate predictors of caries reduction and salivary pH changes. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The intervention group showed a significant reduction in caries activity (p < 0.001) and a notable increase in salivary pH compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These results suggest that pomegranate consumption contributed to a marked improvement in oral health. Regression analysis indicated that pomegranate intake was a strong predictor of these positive outcomes, highlighting its potential as an effective natural supplement for improving oral health and reducing ECC.

Pomegranate consumption proved to be an effective dietary intervention to reduce ECC and improve salivary pH. Long-term studies are needed for broader validation.

Ramesh R, Syam S. Effectiveness of Pomegranate as a Dietary Intervention for Early Childhood Caries Prevention: A Randomized Control Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(1):47-54.