.-d, lndiansoc Ped@-Prev ISSN 0970-4388 Dent December (2002) 20 (4) : 165- 168 “Cariogenic potential of homemade weaning diet v/s commercial formula feeds” An In-vitro Study. Bhat S.” Madan I.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 carious formula feeds for the period of 6 weeks. Fewer 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 4. Positive control : 10% sucrose solution 5. Negative control : Distilled water. 1 n d’la b eing a Developing Country, with diverse population, 6. Plaque Smears has people from various Socioeconomic groups. People 7. Hufriedy’s Currette from lower socioeconomic group cannot often afford the 8. Incubator adjusted at 37OC weaning diets sold in market and usually use home made weaning 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 METHODS 1. control solutions were diveded into 4 groups comprised pediatric Dept. Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, was of 4 teeth. (Fig.1) gathered, to know types of weaning diets used by various people for their children. Samples in consideration i.e. both test samples and 2. Enamel windows of 4mm in diameter were prepared on each tooth & then exposed to the respective The main objective of the study was to estimate the cariogenic potential of the homemade weaning diet as com- environment. These teeth were extracted following the pared to commercial formula feeds like nestum/cerelac etc. 3. 4 teeth in each group were immersed in their respecti- serial extraction procedures.(Fig.2) ve solution along with the plaque smears and MATERIAL AND METHODS incubated at 37Oc everyday. These plaque smears were 1. collected every morning from different patients using Sixteen Freshly extracted caries free deciduous teeth 2. Commercial formula feed sample : cerelac. 3. Homemade diet sample : crushed brown rice , milk + Jww Hu- friedy‘s currette. 4. The samples were incubated for the period of 24 hrs. at the end of which they were changed. The procedure J Indian Sot Pedo prev Dent 20(4) (2002) Bhat S., Madan /.. was continued for the duration of 6 wks. 5. 166 feeds It wad significantly more in case of commercial for- Results were then evaluated using clinical and histopa- mula feeds. thological findings. Table No. I I I Commercial formula feeds Homemade diet +++ I + I I I (b) Diagnodent : (Fig. 4) Clinical evalution based upon the newly introduced caries detector unit-Diagnodent was conducted and following findings were noted in two test samples. Table No.2 Fig. 1 I Homemade diet I Commercial feeds I 15 9 14 T- test was conducted it showed T value of 2.34 which proved the difference between the two readings to be significant thus , signifying increased caries in case of commercial feed sample. Fig. 2 II Histopathological Evaluation : Ground sectins of the teeth were using Arkansas stone . These sections were then studied under the high power microscope (Fig 5,6) and both the extents of remineralization and demineralization were recorded. (Table 3) Fig. 3 Table No.3 Remineralization (mm) (mm) 1. 0.02 0.32 2. 0.01 0.21 3. 0.01 0.31 4. 0.002 0.20 >ommercial feed 1. 0.03 0.83 2. 0.02 0.75 3. 0.03 0.82 4. 0.02 0.78 iomemade diet Fig. 4 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 Demineralization J Indian Sot Pedo Prev Dent 20(4) (2002) Cariogenic potential of homemade weaning diet v/s commercial formula feeds Fig. 5 HOME-MADE DIET 167 Fig. 6 FORMULA FEEDS DISCUSSION - - Various studies on the same background had been conducted from time to time and had revealed the support Weaning is the term referred to the diet introduced to the for the less cariogenicity of homemade diet. child as a supplement to human breast milk by the age of 4-6 month& This is due to the fact that the growing child 1) Person et al* performed an invitro study with the comm- requires certain additional nutrients for proper growth & ercial feed samples and reported that 16 % of caries development. Additional of extra nutrients has increased incidence was reported whereas in case of children incidence of early caries. The study conducted proved com- not consuming commercial feeds, n.o caries was seen. mercial formula feeds to be more cariogenic than the home- 2 Duggal MS3 conducted an invitro study on pH changes made weaning diet. This result can be supported on the caused by formula feeds and reported the pH reduc- basis of the fact that homemade weani ‘g diet had much tion of 5.5 in 5 mins duration. higher fiber content and less of carbo ydrate in comparic son to commercial feeds. The analysis of the basic constituents of both the diets was performed and following feeds in comparison to homemade weaning diets and 1 Formula Feed 1 Homemade diet 1.53 gms gms I 1 0.73 gms 1.91 gms 13.7 gms I 92.9 gms I 10.0 gms 74.8 gms I 1 2.63 Carbohydrate 1 Calcium Fiber reported the increment in acid production thus caus4) Durward L5 analysed constituents of formula Table No. 4 Protein Schmidt 4 studied the stickly nature of formula diet and ing increased caries. data was obtained. (Table 4) Fat 3 1 I 0.24 gms I 6.5 gms 1 (Sugar) content. I I I I I The nutrients in both the test samples clearly indicated the higher protein and fat content of commercial feeds but 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 extent was remarkably higher than homemade diet. reported that the former has increased carbohydrate CONCLUSION On the basis of the present invitro study , review of Iiterature 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 as enriching as any other wholesome feed if all the types of fruits, vegetables and cereals are included. 2) Enriched homemade diet is also significant for the good dental health of the child not only for the present but J Indian Sot Pedo Prev Dent 20(4) (2002) 168 Bhat S., Madan I.. for the years to come. 3) Cost-benefit ratio is a major advantage in case of hommade diet in comparison to commercial feeds. Apart from these facts, the commercial feeds claim “not to 2) Persson L A et al : lnfact feedmg and dental caries : a longitudinal study of Swedish children : Swed Dent J, 1985, 9 (5) : 201-6. 3) Duggal M S , Curzon ME : An evalution of the cariogenic potential of babyand infact fruit drinks : BDJ, 1989, 166 (9): 327-36. 4) Schmidt et : lnvitro 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. 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 Edn , Book I, 2000. : Behrman , Kleigman, Jenson 16th Reprint requests to : Dr. Sham S. Bhat Prof. & Head, Dept. of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Yenepoya, dental College, Kodial Bail, Mangalore. 4 -. J Indian Sot Pedo Prev Dent 20(4} (2002)