Although the etiology of caries is understood, factors that modify risk and severity of rampant caries are not understood. We hypothesized that patients with rampant caries select nutritionally inadequate diets, consumed more sugared beverage intakes, have higher rates of substance abuse, use more xerostomic medications and have lower socio-economic status than patients without rampant caries. Objective: Our objective was to identify differences in dietary, drug-related and socioeconomic factors between cases with rampant caries and controls. Methods: We conducted a case-control pilot study. Cases (n=12) were randomly selected from patients enrolled in the collegiate Rampant Caries Control Program who had completed comprehensive dietary assessments; all data were retrospectively obtained from dental chart reviews. Controls (n=12) were age- and gender-matched patients without rampant caries identified from the collegiate patient pool. Comprehensive dietary assessments were performed on controls following identification; all other data were obtained from chart reviews. Oral health and insurance status at presentation to the clinic were used. Results: Cases presented with a mean 21.3 ± 6.1 teeth having gross caries; controls with a mean 3.4 ± 4.3 teeth having any caries. Compared to controls, cases with rampant caries were more likely to smoke (83% vs. 8%; p<0.001); more likely to drink regular soda pop (92% vs. 17%; p<0.001); and less likely to drink water (33% vs. 100%; p<0.001). Although not statistically significant, more cases with rampant caries than controls used recreational drugs (33% vs. 0%; p=0.093), used xerostomic medications (25% vs. 0%; p=0.217) and skipped meals (58% vs. 17%; p=0.089). Conclusion: These pilot study data suggest that unhealthy lifestyle behaviors including smoking, recreational drug use and irregular meal patterns; consumption of regular soda pop; and lack of water consumption increase risk of rampant caries. Supported by Grant T32 DEO14678-04.

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