Cariogenic potential of oral nutritional supplements measured by intraoral plaque pH telemetry.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) administered to malnourished elders and other patients contain high-levels of carbohydrates that could be a potential risk factor for dental caries. This study aimed to evaluate the cariogenic potentials of ONS using intraoral plaque telemetry.

METHODS

Ten ONS were tested on five healthy volunteers (mean age: 76.8 ± 9.15 years). Participants were requested to refrain from performing oral hygiene 3-7 days prior to testing. The pH-value below the dental plaque on the tooth was measured while the ONS was being consumed. After neutralizing the participant's saliva, a control solution (10% sucrose) was administered and telemetry measurements were repeated. Mean relative cariogenicity (RC) was calculated for each ONS. ANOVA and post hoc tests were used for statistical analyses (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

All ten ONS were potentially cariogenic on enamel with an overall RC of 0.519 ± 0.35 (Range: Min = 0.31 ± 0.16; Max = 1.00 ± 0.34). RC differed significantly between the ONS (p = 0.002). RC was lower in ONS that contained high-protein (p = 0.018). RC was not influenced by other factors such as readily consumable (p = 0.102), flavor (p = 0.869), consistency (p = 0.126), fiber containing (p = 0.134), style (p = 0.112), and age of plaque (p = 0.339).

CONCLUSIONS

The ONS administered to elders and malnourished patients are potentially cariogenic. It is imperative that the administration of ONS must be based on individual needs to potentiate a maximum benefit. Wherever possible, an attempt to limit the use of high-carbohydrate containing ONS must be practiced along with the adoption of suitable preventive measures to arrest the development and progression of caries.