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Food Noise Is Associated With Increased Diet-Related Dental Caries Risk
Abstract   Open access   Peer reviewed

Food Noise Is Associated With Increased Diet-Related Dental Caries Risk

Teresa A Marshall, Stephanie E Lewis, Meagan L Blomgren, Jill M Castline and Jennifer M Sukalski
Current developments in nutrition, Vol.10(Suppl 1), 108116
07/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.108116
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.108116View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Objectives: Food noise, defined as a preoccupation with food, may contribute to increased frequency and duration of carbohydrate exposure and subsequent risk of dental caries. Our objective was to investigate the association between food noise and diet-related caries risk. Methods: We designed a survey to assess food noise (exposure) and overall diet quality and caries risk behaviors (outcomes) using previously validated instruments. Adults over 18 years were invited to participate through the University’s listserv and social media posts; the cross-sectional survey was administered via Qualtrics in the fall of 2025. Individuals with a < 25% response rate (n=55), food insecurity (n=180), or weight loss medication use (n=69) were excluded from analyses yielding a final sample of 603 subjects. Food noise was assessed using a five-item instrument, diet quality using a 13-item instrument, and caries risk considering 7 diet-related behaviors. Bivariate associations were examined using the Fisher’s exact or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. Multivariate associations were examined using cumulative link regression models designed for proportionally ordered categorical outcomes. Results: In the final sample, 42% of subjects were 18-24 years, 79% female, 86% non-Hispanic White, 66% with a college degree or higher, 49% employed full time, and 59% with incomes >$75,000. In bivariate analyses, higher food noise was associated with increased snacking, less meal structure, longer duration of sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and more frequent sugared candy intake (all p< 0.001), but not diet quality or quantity of sugar-sweetened beverage intake. In multivariate analyses adjusted for demographic variables, higher food noise was associated with less meal structure (OR=0.93, CI=0.90-0.96; p< 0.001) and a longer duration of sugar-sweetened beverage intake (OR=1.06, CI=1.02,1.11; p=0.008). Conclusions: Adults with higher food noise scores were less likely to have structured meals and more likely to have increased snacking and extended exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages. This suggests that food noise is associated with diet-related caries risk behaviors.

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