Influência da dieta e da higiene oral na prevalência de cáries em crianças:

um estudo observacional

Abstract

Dental caries is a highly prevalent multifactorial disease in childhood, associated with the interaction between cariogenic biofilm, consumption of fermentable carbohydrates, and host susceptibility. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of hygienic and dietary habits on the occurrence of caries in children. This is an observational study with 100 children aged 1 to 10 years, treated in private dental offices. Data collection included clinical examination to identify carious lesions and application of questionnaires on dietary and oral hygiene habits. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and G tests, with a significance level of 5%. It was observed that 54% of the children presented dental caries, with a significant predominance of occlusal lesions (p<0.0001). Although a higher frequency of caries was identified among children with higher consumption of carbohydrates and processed foods, these associations were not statistically significant. On the other hand, brushing frequency showed a significant association with the occurrence of caries (p=0.0043), being higher among children with low hygiene frequency. The use of dental floss and parental involvement did not show statistical significance, although they demonstrated a protective trend. It is concluded that oral hygiene habits, especially regular brushing, play a fundamental role in the prevention of caries in children.