Association between soft drink consumption, oral health and some lifestyle factors in Swedish adolescents

Abstract

Objective. The aim was to investigate the relationship between soft drink consumption, oral health and some lifestyle factors in Swedish adolescents. Materials and methods. A clinical dental examination and a questionnaire concerning lifestyle factors, including drinking habits, oral hygiene, dietary consumption, physical activity and screen-viewing habits were completed. Three hundred and ninety-two individuals completed the study (13–14 years, n = 195; 18–19 years, n = 197). The material was divided into high and low carbonated soft drink consumption groups, corresponding to approximately the highest and the lowest one-third of subjects in each age group. Differences between the groups were tested by the Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression. Results. Intake of certain dietary items, tooth brushing, sports activities, meal patterns, screen-viewing behaviors, BMI and parents born outside Sweden differed significantly between high and low consumers in one or both of the two age groups. Dental erosion (both age groups) and DMFT/DMFS (18–19 years group) were significantly higher in the high consumption groups. Logistic regression showed predictive variables for high consumption of carbonated soft drinks to be mainly gender (male), unhealthy dietary habits, lesser physical activity, higher BMI and longer time spent in front of TV/computer. Conclusion. High soft drink consumption was related to poorer oral health and an unhealthier lifestyle.

Key Words::

• dental caries
• lifestyle
• oral health
• soft drinks
• tooth erosion

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from Public Dental Health Service, Örebro County Council, Sweden and the Swedish Dental Society. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Beatrice Reber-Holmqvist, Örebro County Council for her assistance and contribution to this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.