The plaque acidogenic response to carbohydrates of children from three ethnic groups in South Africa

Abstract

The plaque acidogenic response of children from three ethnic groups in South Africa to four different carbohydrates was investigated using the plaque sampling method. A total of 30, 12-year-old children, ten black, ten 'coloured' and ten white, completed this study. The foods tested were 10 per cent sucrose solution, maize porridge, strawberry flavoured yoghurt and banana. The blacks produced an intermediate plaque pH response to sucrose compared with the 'coloureds' and whites but the smallest response for the other carbohydrate challenges. It was concluded that a difference exists in the plaque acidogenic response to carbohydrate between the three ethnic groups and that this may in part account for differences in caries prevalences.