Taste thresholds, preferences for sweet taste and dental caries in 15-year-old children. A pilot study

The aim of the present investigation was to study the relationship between taste acuity and dental caries. The material consisted of 26 15-year-olds. Twelve (7 girls and 5 boys) had a high prevalence of dental caries and 14 (6 girls and 8 boys) had a low prevalence. The average DFS in the two groups was 26.9 (range 19-39) ad 1.5 (range 0-4) respectively. Recognition thresholds were determined for sweet and, as a control, for salty, sour and bitter taste using a full-mouth technique. A modified method of limit was used. No significant difference in thresholds could be found between the different caries groups. Preferences for sweet taste were also determined in 14 of the subjects. They were asked to indicate the preferred solution of sucrose (.15, .30, .60 and 1.20M), presented randomly. The groups did not differ markedly in this test either. No correlation between threshold values and preferences for sucrose could be established.