Frequency of Intake

Evaluation of Stephan curves tracking individual or multiple eating events suggests that the plaque pH requires about 30-60 minutes to return to normal levels following an eating event. Thus, prolonged snacking and/or multiple eating events are thought to increase caries risk. Palmer reported that children with early childhood caries consumed foods and beverages more frequently than children without caries (Figure 9).²¹ Marshall reported that increased snacking at ages 1, 2, 3, and 4 years of age were associated with increased caries risk at 5 years of age.¹⁷ Secular dietary patterns have devolved in recent times with many individuals having unstructured eating patterns. Unstructured eating has been associated with an increased caries risk.²²

Figure 9. Palmer’s Frequency²¹

Figure 9. Palmer’s Frequency²¹