Comparison of the plaque pH response to an acidogenic challenge in children and adults

This study investigated differences in the response of dental plaque pH after a carbohydrate challenge in children and adults. A 10% (w/v) sucrose solution and a blackcurrant drink containing 7% carbohydrate (w/v) were assessed for their ability to depress plaque pH in vivo in 10 adults aged between 16 and 35 years and 10 children aged between 4 and 6 years using the plaque harvesting technique. The results showed that the plaque pH response was significantly less acidic in children. The maximum pH drop and area under the curve below pH 6.0 (+/- SD) with sucrose was: children 1.10 +/- 0.35 and 0.98 +/- 0.31 and adults 1.43 +/- 0.24 and 6.25 +/- 2.10, respectively. The plaque pH also stayed below pH 6.0 for a longer period in adults. Similar results were obtained for the blackcurrant drink where the responses were lower than with 10% sucrose. When the acidogenic potential index (API) for the blackcurrant drink was calculated based on the data from the adult volunteers, it was twice as high as compared with the API score calculated from the data from children. It was concluded that the as plaque pH responses were significantly less acidic in children as compared with adults, acidogenicity studies of children's foods and drinks should be carried out in children rather than adults.