How does the use of different sugar products predict caries in 18-year-old Finns?

The aim of this study was to determine whether self-reported (but diagnosed previously by a dentist) caries incidence of eighteen-year-olds could be predicted based on their use of sweets, cakes sugar-sweetened coffee or tea between the ages of twelve and eighteen. The data were collected as part of the nationwide research program, the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey. All Finns born in 1968 and having their birthdays on 20-25th July formed the same (N = 1106). The 1981 survey (adolescents at the age of twelve) was the baseline, and follow-up questionnaires were sent in 1983, 1985 and 1987. The chi-square test and logistic regression model were used in the analyses. Different sugar products were slightly more significant predictors with the chi-square test than by logistic regression model. Among boys, the most common predictor, daily use of sugar-sweetened coffee, was an important predictor, although the risk was quite low. For girls, no predictors were found.