Associations between bitter and sweet perception and self-reported oral hygiene habits: A cross-sectional survey

Oral diseases and diet link bidirectionally. Taste perception and genetics may also be involved in modulating this relationship through altering diet and oral inflammation. Sweet and bitter taste genetics have been linked to risk for dental caries and inflammation. However, the relationship between taste perception and oral hygiene habits has not been investigated. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate links between bitter and sweet taste (liking/intensity using General Labelled Magnitude Scale and index foods) and oral hygiene habits (n = 518), with adjustments for age, sex, income, education and dietary habits. Least-squares means were compared (ANOVA: Tukey HSD’s post-hoc). Higher bitter intensity (16–21 was associated (p < 0.0001) with more regular brushing, mouthwash use, chewing gum and tongue cleaning. Higher sweetness intensity was related to more regular mouthwash use, brushing and chewing gum (p < 0.001). Higher sweet liking was related to more regular mouthwash use (p = 0.03). Lower bitter liking was associated with more regular brushing (p = 0.004), chewing gum (p = 0.008), mouthwash (p = 0.007) and floss use (p = 0.01). Findings suggest relationships between bitter and sweet perceptions, oral hygiene habits and oral health, which justify the need for future studies to assess consequences.