Role of taste perception in white spot lesion formation during orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the role of individual's taste sensitivity using 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) in the development of white spot lesions (WSLs) in adolescent orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: 44 healthy adolescents, aged 12 to 16 years old, who were in fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment for at least 6 months, consented to participate in this cross-sectional study. Data regarding participants' demographic information, oral hygiene practices, and dietary habits were obtained by a questionnaire. An oral clinical examination was performed to determine the oral hygiene status, the presence of WSLs and dental caries experience. The taste phenotype of the participants was evaluated through PROP test and they were accordingly divided into PROP nontasters and PROP tasters. Results: The sample consisted of 24 subjects in the WSL group and 20 subjects in the WSL-free group. The WSL group demonstrated higher mean plaque score (48.2), mean decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (2.38), and mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (1.96) scores compared to the WSL-free group (38.7, 0.85, and 0.55, respectively), but no significant differences were found. Most subjects in the WSL group were PROP nontasters (66.6%) whereas most subjects in the WSL-free group were PROP tasters (75%); a significant difference was observed between the groups (P = .006). Conclusions: The prevalence of white spot lesions was significantly higher in adolescent orthodontic patients who were PROP nontasters compared to PROP tasters. A PROP taste perception could be a potential risk factor for the formation of WSLs during fixed orthodontic treatment that warrants further attention.

Genetic taste sensitivity and dental caries in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…They were published between 2003 and 2019. Eight studies originated from India, 5‐9,11,14,18 one from United Arab Emirates, 12 two from United States, 13,19 and one from Turkey 10 …”

“…Two studies were designed to assess mother‐child genetic predisposition and dental caries with a sample size ranging from 38 to 310 pairs, 13,14 mean age of children was 2 to 12 years, whereas maternal age from 18 to 45 years was reported in solely one study 13 . Lastly, one study examined genetic taste status and white spot lesions in adolescent orthodontic patients 12 . The reported sample size was 44 and the mean age of participants ranged from 12 to 16 years.…”

“…In eight studies, participants were from a single setting, at a paediatric dentistry or other university clinics 5‐7,9,10,12,13,19 . Three studies reported a school‐based setting, 8,11,18 whereas one did not report origin of sample settings 14 .…”

“…The relationship between bitter and sweet taste perception and dental caries has been investigated in recent years in school‐aged children 5‐10 and adolescents, 11,12 as well as in mother‐child pairs 13,14 . The reports of these preliminary studies demonstrate that non‐tasters present higher caries prevalence.…”

Evaluation of Microleakage of Orthodontic Bands Cemented With CPP-ACP-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement

“…One of the major challenges associated with fixed orthodontic treatment is the formation of white spot lesions (WSLs) which can lead to an esthetic problem and, without early treatment, can develop into a frank cavitied lesion. 1 Recently, researchers have tried to find novel methods of preventing caries and WSLs that generally formed with the use of orthodontic bands and other fixed orthodontic appliances. 2-5 One of the more effective strategies is by modifying the cement with anticaries and remineralizing agents.…”