Association of Dietary Habits with Dental Caries and Occlusal Plaque: An Assessment Using the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index and Caries Index

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial oral disease in which dietary habits and dental plaque play important roles. Adolescence is an important period for establishing dietary and oral hygiene behaviours that may influence future oral health. Assessment of visible occlusal plaque together with dietary habits may provide useful information regarding caries risk.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary habits, occlusal plaque, and dental caries among adolescents in a hospital setting.

Materials and Methods: A hospital-based observational study was conducted among 150 adolescents. Demographic and dietary information was collected using a structured questionnaire, with particular emphasis on sweet and soft-drink consumption. Clinical oral examination was performed to assess dental caries and visible occlusal plaque. Occlusal plaque was assessed using the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI). The relationship between dietary habits, VOPI findings, and caries status was evaluated using appropriate statistical methods. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with caries status. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 9.68 ± 2.09 years. Males constituted 56.7% of the study population, while females constituted 43.3%. Among the participants, 46.0% had sound teeth, 4.0% had inactive lesions, 16.7% had active non-cavitated lesions, and 33.3% had active cavitated lesions. Regarding VOPI, 38.0% had no visible plaque, 50.0% had thin plaque, and 12.0% had thick plaque. Sweet consumption was significantly associated with caries status in the binary logistic regression analysis (AOR=1.637, p=0.030). Gender, age, and tooth-brushing practice were not significantly associated with caries status. A weak positive correlation was observed between VOPI and caries status (r=0.158, p=0.053).

Conclusion: Sweet consumption was significantly associated with dental caries among the adolescents studied. Visible occlusal plaque showed a weak positive relationship with caries status, although the association did not reach statistical significance. Assessment of dietary habits and visible occlusal plaque together may contribute to better identification of adolescents at risk of dental caries and support targeted preventive oral health interventions.