A relação entre o consumo alimentar de ultraprocessados e a cárie dentária em adolescentes participantes da Coorte de Nascimentos de Pelotas 2004

Abstract

Dental caries is a public health problem due to its high prevalence. It is caused by the frequent consumption of fermentable carbohydrates linked to poor oral hygiene. Eating habits must be analyzed to avoid the onset of the disease and thinking about a better quality of life and health. Therefore, the objective of the study is to evaluate the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption, according to the NOVA Classification, and the prevalence of caries in 996 adolescents aged 12-13 years, participating in the Pelotas 2004 Birth Cohort. food was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire consisting of 89 items, of which 24 were considered ultraprocessed, which were grouped into six groups: 1) cookies, chips and sugared cereals; 2) processed meats and fats; 3) candies; 4) fast food and noodles; 5) sodas and artificial juice; 6) sweet dairy and chocolate powder, analyzing their consumption through frequency, grams and global energy intake and kilocalories. The outcome was the prevalence of caries in the mixed dentition, measured by the index of decayed, lost and restored surfaces due to caries (DMFS and dmf-s), seeking to identify the role of this type of food in this causal relationship. To investigate this association, variables were included as potential confounders (socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral, dietary characteristics and access to health services). Crude and adjusted Poisson regression models were performed to analyze the food effect on dental caries. The prevalence of caries found was 39.6% and food consumption was associated with an increased prevalence of disease in frequency, grams and kilocalories. The group of soft drinks and artificial juices was not associated with caries and, sweets and fast food and noodles, lost association after adjustment, the others remained associated. The higher daily consumption of ultraprocessed foods was associated with an increase in the prevalence of the disease. Thus, it is necessary to intervene and raise awareness among the population about good dietary practices for the prevention of caries in adolescence.