The objective of the present study was to explore the association between sweet preference and the levels of dental caries in a large sample of urban and rural children and young adults in Iraq. In addition, the relationship between caries levels and sweet tea consumption was investigated. Sweet preference was assessed using a free choice method while caries was measured by the DMFT index in 4,152 males and females of differing ages living in urban and rural areas. A positive significant correlation between sweet preference and dental caries was found for both urban and rural populations. This relationship was stronger in the rural groups (r = +0.58, P < 0.001) than in the urban groups (r = +0.24, P < 0.001). The number of cups of tea consumed was positively correlated with the DMFT scores as was the number of spoonfuls of sugar taken in each cup of tea. Both these correlations were greater for the rural groups. These findings, together with those showing that sweet preference changes with exposure to sugars; the more sugars people consumed the higher their threshold for sweetness, indicates that exposure to sugar increases the intake sugar and the risk of dental caries.

The consumption of sweetened foods is influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, sociological, and environmental factors. On an individual level, taste preference for sweetness has been shown to have an influence on food consumption, although this may be affected by social and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess the taste preference for sweetness in urban and rural populations in Iraq. The hypothesis was that sweet preference and the consumption of sugar increase with urbanization. The sample was composed of 4152 individuals who were divided into urban and rural subgroups based on their place of residence. Sweet preference was assessed by means of a tested Sweet Preference Inventory. Results revealed statistically significant differences between urban and rural populations in preference for sweetness and in actual sugar consumption. Individuals from urban locations showed a much higher preference for sweetness than their rural counterparts and consumed more sugar. Within the urban population, those individuals who had lived in the city longer and who were from families with lower educational qualifications preferred the highest levels of sugar. The findings support the hypothesis that urbanization influences sweet preference and sugar consumption.

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A protocol is presented for the clinical evaluation of agents used to control chronic gingivtis in man. Assessment is divided into three phases of increasing duration which are the initial screening of products over 1 month, the main gingivitis trial lasting at least 6 months and judging the effect of the product in preventing periodontitis which is extended for at least 3 years. The advances in data processing have made it possible to collect information separately on the three parameters of gingival inflammation.