Cariogenicity of Homemade Weaning Diet

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J Indian Soc PedchPrev Dent December (2002) 20 (4) : 165-168

Cariogenic potential of homemade weaning diet v/s commercialformula feeds An In-vitro Study.

Bhat S.a

Madan l.b

a. Professor and Head, b. Post Graduate Student Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry

Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore

The universal phenomenon of introducing weaning diet to the growing child sets its onset by the age of 4-6 months . This

preliminary diet of the child governs his or her dental health in the long run . The main objective of this study is to investigate the

histopathological and clinical invasion of deciduous teeth exposed to both the homemade weaning diet and commercial formula

feeds . The study also aims at motivating the consumption of the most appropriate diet for the weaning baby. Extracted deciduous

teeth were incubated with the test solutions of homemade diet and commercial formula feeds for the period of 6 weeks. Fewer

carious invasion both clinically and histopathologically were seen in homemade feeds. Thus , homemade diet can be a strong

candidate for the status of THE IDEAL WEANING FOOD.

Key Words : Weaning , diet

INTRODUCTION

India being a Developing Country, with diverse population,

has people from various Socioeconomic groups. People

from lower socioeconomic group cannot often afford the

weaning diets sold in market and usually use home madeweaning diet. However, the people from other groups can

afford commercial formula feeds for weaning their children.

Keeping the above facts in mind general information from

pediatric Dept. Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, was

gathered, to know types of weaning diets used by various

people for their children.

The main objective of the study was to estimate the cari-

ogenic potential of the homemade weaning diet as com-

pared to commercial formula feeds like nestum/cerelac etc.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

1. Sixteen Freshly extracted caries free deciduous teeth

2. Commercial formula feed sample : cerelac.

3. Homemade diet sample : crushed brown rice , milk +

Jaggery

4. Positive control : 10% sucrose solution

5. Negative control: Distilled water.

6. Plaque Smears

7. Hufriedy, s Currette

8. Incubator adjusted at 37C

METHODS

1. Samples in consideration i.e. both test samples an

control solutions were diveded into 4 groups comprised

of 4 teeth. (Fig.1)

2. Enamel windows of 4mm in diameter were prepared

on each tooth & then exposed to the respective

environment. These teeth were extracted following the

serial extraction procedures.(Fig.2)

3. 4 teeth in each group were immersed in their respectve solution along with the plaque smears and

incubated at 37c everyday. These plaque smears were

collected every morning from different patients using

Hu-friedy scurrette.

4. The samples were incubated for the period of 24 hrs

at the end of which they were changed. The procedure

J Indian Soc Pedo prev Dent 20(4) (2002)

ISSN 0970-4388


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was continued for the duration of 6 wks.

5. Results were then evaluated using clinical and histopa-

thological findings.

feeds. It wad significantly more in case of commercial for-

mula feeds.

Table No.l

F

F

RESULTS

I. Clinical Evaluation

(a) Visual: (Fig I)

Chalky white appearance was detected on tooth present in

both the test solutions, Home made as well as formula

(b) Diagnodent: (Fig. 4)

Clinical evalution based upon the newly introduced carie

detector unit-Diagnodent was conducted and following find

ings were noted in two test samples.

Table No.2

T- test was conducted it showed T value of 2.34 which

proved the difference between the two readings to be sig-

nificant thus , signifying increased caries in case of com-

mercial feed sample.

II Histopathological Evaluation :

Ground sectins of the teeth were using Arkansas stone

These sections were then studied under the high powe

microscope (Fig 5,6) and both the extents of reminer

alization and demineralization were recorded. (Table 3)

Table No.3

J Indian Soc Pedo Prev Dent 20(4) (2002)

166Bhat S., Madan I..

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 4

Fig. 3


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Cariogenic potential of homemade weaning diet v/s commercial formula feeds

DISCUSSION

Weaning is the term referred to the diet introduced to the

child as a supplement to human breast milk by the age of 4-6

months1. This is due to the fact that the growing child

requires certain additional nutrients for proper growth &

development. Additional of extra nutrients has increased

incidence of early caries. The study conducted proved com-

mercial formula feeds to be more cariogenic than the home-

made weaning diet. This result can be supported on the

basis of the fact that homemade weaning diet had much

higher fiber content and less of carbohydrate in compari-

son to commercial feeds. The analysis of the basic con-

stituents of both the diets was perfprmed and following data

was obtained. (Table 4)

Table No. 4

- The nutrients in both the test samples clearly indicated

the higher protein and fat content of commercial feedsbut the very high fiber content of homemade weaning

diet outweight all other properties & makes the diet ,

less sticky and hence less cariogenic.

- The increased remineralization seen in commercial

feed sample was not very significant as the caries ex-

tent was remarkably higher than homemade diet.


- Various studies on the same background had been con

ducted from time to time and had revealed the suppor

for the less cariogenicity of homemade diet.

1) Person et al2

performed an invitro study with the commercial feed samples and reported that 16 % of caries

incidence was reported whereas in case of children

not consuming commercial feeds, n.o caries was seen.

2) Duggal MS3 conducted an invitro study on pH changes

caused by formula feeds and reported the pH reduction

of 5.5 in 5 mins duration.

3) Schmidt4 studied the stickly nature of formula diet and

reported the increment in acid production thus causing

increased caries.

4) Durward L5analysed constituents of formula

feeds in comparison to homemade weaning diets and

reported that the former has increased carbohydrate

(Sugar) content.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the present invitro study , review of literature

and the analysis of the various constituents per feed of the

infant, it was concluded that homemade weaning diet could

be beneficial for the status of ideal weaning food. This study

does not condemn the use of commercial feeds, but it does

convey message to the mothers that:

1) Homemade diet is not a compromised diet but can be a

enriching as any other wholesome feed if all the types o

fruits, vegetables and cereals are included.

2) Enriched homemade diet is also significant for the goo

dental health of the child not only for the present but

167

Fig. 5 HOME-MADE DIET Fig. 6 FORMULA FEEDS


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for the years to come.

3) Cost-benefit ratio is a major advantage in case of horn-

made diet in comparison to commercial feeds.

Apart from these facts, the commercial feeds claim not to

be the sole source of nourishment for the infant (printed

note an each pack of cerelac).

Actual determinants i.e. frequency and duration of feeding

do play a significant role in this context also. The study

conducted here is the preliminary study giving a transitional

conclusion.

REFERENCES

1) Nelson Texbook of paediatrics : Behrman , Kleigman, Jenson 16th

Edn , Book l, 2000.

2) Persson L A et al: Intact feeding and dental caries : a longitudinal

study of Swedish children : Swed Dent J, 1985, 9 (5) : 201-6.

3) Duggal M S , Curzon ME : An evaiution of the cariogenic potential of

babyand intact fruit drinks : BDJ, 1989, 166 (9): 327-30.

4) Schmidt et: Invitro studies on the acidifying effect of liquid baby

food on plaque as compared with breast and cows milk : Dtsch

Zahnarztl Z : 1990, 45 (6), 367-70.

5) Durward L: Sugar inbaby foods : Dent Update : 1991, 18 (4) :162-5.

Reprint requests to:

Dr. Sham S. Bhat

Prof. & Head, Dept. of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry,

Yenepoya, dental College, Kodial Bail, Mangalore.


168Bhat S., Madan I..

Cariogenicity of Homemade Weaning Diet

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