Interplay of Sweet Taste Perception and Streptococcus mutans Colonization in Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Taste perception is a factor that influences food intake. The preference for sweet tastes can influence caries risk. This investigation was conducted to determine the association between Streptococcus mutans count and sweet taste perception with dental caries experience in 7-10-year-old children, divided into groups based on decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT)/decayed, extracted, filled teeth (deft) scores of ≥3 and <3.

Demographic data were collected, and assessment of dental status using the DMFT/deft index and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II scoring of 60 children aged 7-10 years old was done. They were divided into two groups, that is, group I is low caries (DMFT/deft score < 3) and group II is high caries (DMFT/deft score ≥ 3), with 30 children in each group. Sweet taste perception was assessed using a modified method that simultaneously measured both the sweet taste threshold and preference levels, recorded with the TASTY scale. The quantitative assessment of the S. mutans count was done using microbiological analysis.

A significant positive relationship was identified between sugar threshold and sugar preference (p = 0.001), as well as between sugar preference and S. mutans count (p = 0.000) in the low-caries group. In contrast, within the high-caries group, although a strong positive correlation existed between sugar threshold and sugar preference (p = 0.000), no statistically significant association was noted between sugar threshold and S. mutans (p = 0.201) or between sugar preference and S. mutans (p = 0.413).

Sweet taste threshold and preference were significantly associated with S. mutans levels in low-caries children, indicating early risk markers. No significant correlation was found in high-caries children, suggesting other factors may dominate at advanced disease stages.

This study emphasizes a noteworthy association between sweet taste perception, S. mutans count, and caries prevalence in children. Targeted measures to decrease dietary sugar and bacterial colonization could contribute substantially to caries prevention in pediatric populations.

Vasa S, Mathur S, Joshi S, et al. Interplay of Sweet Taste Perception and Streptococcus mutans Colonization in Children: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(4):459-463.