Genetic sensitivity to the bitter taste of 6-n propylthiouracil: a new risk determinant for dental caries in children.
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2006-06-11
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The aims of the present study were to contrast the prevalence of dental caries in children with different genetic sensitivity levels to the bitter taste of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) and to determine the taste quality and taste intensity preferences of food products among the taster and nontaster groups. Overall caries experience (dmfs/DMFS) was significantly higher for nontasters than tasters. Caries experience on the available surfaces (dfs/DFS) was found to be significantly higher in nontasters than in medium tasters and in medium tasters than in supertasters (r=-0.41, P < 0.001). Majority of the nontasters were sweet likers and preferred strong tasting food products, while majority of the supertasters were sweet dislikers and preferred weak tastes. There was a significant increase in the overall caries experience in the population, as the genetic ability to detect PROP taste decreased ( P < 0.001). After all associated factors (age, gender, race, number of teeth and OHI-S) were controlled; multiple linear regression analyses revealed that taste was the only variable significantly related to overall caries experience.
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Rupesh S, Nayak UA. Genetic sensitivity to the bitter taste of 6-n propylthiouracil: a new risk determinant for dental caries in children. Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry. 2006 Jun; 24(2): 63-8