Association among chronotype, dietary behaviours, and caries experience in Brazilian adolescents: Is there a behavioural pattern?

BACKGROUND: Dental caries (DC) remains a public health issue. Chronotype, diet, and oral hygiene may influence its development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of chronotype, diet, oral hygiene, and DC among 12-year-olds.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 245 adolescents was conducted in public and private schools in southeast Brazil. Sociodemographics, dietary and oral hygiene habits were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Chronotype was assessed using the Portuguese version of the Puberty and Phase Preference Scale (PPPS). Subjects were examined for DC (WHO criteria). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed (P < 0.05).

RESULTS: DC was present in 42.0% of the sample. In the bivariate analysis, a higher DMFT was associated with living in rural areas (P = 0.006), parents'/caregivers' lower schooling (P = 0.008), and a not daily intake of vegetables (P = 0.033). Chronotype was not associated with DMFT scores. The Poisson regression model showed that adolescents who did not have breakfast regularly (PR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.17-2.08; P = 0.003), lived in rural areas (PR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.59-3.04; P < 0.001) and did not consume vegetables daily (PR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.11-2.17; P = 0.009) were more likely to present a higher DMFT.

CONCLUSIONS: DC is associated to living in rural areas and dietary habits, such as not having breakfast regularly and lack of daily intake of vegetables.