Polymorphisms in sweet taste genes (TAS1R2 and GLUT2), sweet liking, and dental caries prevalence in an adult Italian population

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between sweet taste genes and dental caries prevalence in a large sample of adults. In addition, the association between sweet liking and sugar intake with dental caries was also investigated. Caries were measured by the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) index in 647 Caucasian subjects, 285 males and 362 females (age range 18 to 65 years; mean age 44.9 \ub1 12.4 years) subjects coming from six different villages in Northeastern Italy. Sweet liking was assessed using a 9-point scale, while simple sugar consumption was estimated by a dietary history interview. Our study confirmed that polymorphisms in TAS1R2 and GLUT2 genes are related with DMFT index. In particular, GG homozygous individuals for rs3935570 in TAS1R2 gene (p-value=0.0117) and GG homozygous individuals for rs1499821 in GLUT2 gene (p-value=0.0273) show higher DMFT levels compared to both heterozygous and homozygous for the alternative allele. Furthermore, a positive significant correlation between sweet liking and dental caries was found (p-value=0.009), while no association was shown with gender, sex and sugar intake. Although caries is a multifactorial disease in which diet, oral hygiene and microflora are key-factors, these findings suggest that both genetic factors and sweet liking contribute to dental caries prevalence, opening new perspectives for individual risk identification and implementation of target preventive strategies