Association between milk and dairy product intake and the risk of dental caries in children and adolescents: NHANES 2011-2016

Background and Objectives: To date, few studies have comprehensively explored the associations between milk and dairy product intake and dental caries. Therefore, this study aimed to simultaneously assess the associations between whole milk, low-fat milk, skim milk, yogurt, milk desserts, cheese, creams, and total fluid milk intake and the risk of dental caries in children and adolescents. Methods and Study Design: Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2016. Two 24-hour dietary recall interviews measured dietary milk and dairy product intake. Primary teeth caries was diagnosed by the dfs (decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces) index, and permanent teeth caries was diagnosed by the DMFS (decayed, missing, or filled permanent tooth surfaces) index. We used logistic regression to explore the associations between milk and dairy product intake and the risk of dental caries. Results: A total of 6885 individuals aged 2-17 years were included in this study. In the fully adjusted model, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of dental caries were 0.66 (0.47-0.93) for intake >= 123 g/day of yogurt and 0.82 (0.69-0.98) for intake <22.6 g/day of cheese, as compared with non-consumers. Conclusions: Our study indicates that high yogurt and low cheese intake were associated with a decreased risk of dental caries among American children and adolescents. These findings may be applied to update and supplement the evidence that informs public health policies on milk and dairy products and the prevention of dental caries.