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Relationship between the fungiform papillae number and dental caries in primary teeth: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Objectives

Fungiform papillae (FP) contain numerous taste buds. A genetic susceptibility between tasting via FP and caries risk has been suggested. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between FP number and dental caries and to determine whether FP number may be considered as a test for caries risk.

Materials and methods

The study included 157 children who attended the pediatric dentistry department at a public university. Questionnaires, including the children’s medical health, oral health knowledge, fluoride exposure, and taste preferences, were filled in by their parents. The FP number on the dorsal surface of the tongue was counted according to the Denver Papilla Protocol. Caries was recorded using deft/DMFT indices. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS.

Results

The FP number decreased significantly according to age (r = −0.441, p = 0.001), and the mean of the girls’ FP number was significantly higher than the boys’ (p = 0.022). A greater number of FP was associated with increased deft score (p = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.164).

Conclusion

The caries risk increased in children who had more FP (FP > 30); therefore, FP number could be evaluated in terms of caries risk. FP number could be evaluated as a risk factor for determining dental caries since the risk of caries increased after a FP cut-off point of 29 was achieved.

Clinical relevance

Clinicians can start preventive treatments for caries earlier by determining the FP number for each child.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to all participants for joining this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Biruni University, Topkapı/Istanbul, Turkey

    Elif Ece Kalaoglu

  2. Trabzon Dental Public Health Hospital, Merkez/Ortahisar/Trabzon, Turkey

    Belgin Yazici

  3. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Maltepe/Istanbul, Turkey

    Ali Mentes

Authors
  1. Elif Ece Kalaoglu
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  2. Belgin Yazici
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  3. Ali Mentes
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Contributions

EEK, BY, and AM conceived the study. EEK and BY performed the clinical examinations. EEK, BY, and AM analyzed the data. AM performed statistical analyses. EEK wrote the paper. The final version of the manuscript was checked and approved by all authors.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elif Ece Kalaoglu.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Key points

• Age was an important factor in determining the FP number in children.

• The mean FP number of the girls was significantly higher than that of boys.

•We detected a relationship between FP number and dental caries in primary teeth.

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Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The work was conducted in Marmara University Dentistry Faculty Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

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Cite this article

Kalaoglu, E.E., Yazici, B. & Mentes, A. Relationship between the fungiform papillae number and dental caries in primary teeth: a cross-sectional study. Clin Oral Invest 25, 6931–6937 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03983-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03983-9

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