Heritability estimates for dental caries and sucrose sweetness preference

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine heritability estimates for dental caries traits and sucrose sweetness preference.DesignParticipants included 115 pairs of twins 4–7-years-old. Caries exams followed NIDCR criteria where the severity of the lesion was also determined. Twins ranked their preference for five concentrations of sucrose/grape juice solutions (0.15–1.17 M) with a Face Scale. Variables submitted to analysis: (1) surface-based caries prevalence rate (SBCPR); (2) lesion severity index (LSI); (3) sucrose sweetness preference score (SSPS). Heritability analyses were performed with the SOLAR software package.ResultsHeritability estimates adjusted for age and gender were: SBCPR − h2 = 64.6 (p < .00001), LSI − h2 = 61.7 (p < .00001) and SSPS − h2 = 55.2 (p < .00001). Treating SPSS as a covariate in the SBCPR and LSI models did not alter heritability estimates.ConclusionsThese results suggest that variation in dental caries traits and sucrose sweetness preference have a significant genetic contribution that is mediated independently.