Cariogenicity of Vitamin Supplements for Children

The purpose of this study is to analyze the cariogenicity of vitamin supplements for children by the Caries Potentiality Index (CPI), pH drop capacity, proliferation rate of Streptococcus mutans. Four vitamin supplements were selected Noma (NM), Cenovis Kids (CK), Animal Parade (AP), and Character Vitamin (CV). CPI value decreased in the order of AP, CV, CK, and NM. Initial values of all experimental groups showed acidity below pH 7.0. Analysis of the colony forming units of Streptococcus mutans showed that NM and CV resulted a higher proliferation rate (p < 0.05) than CK and AP (p < 0.05). Bacterial activity of the control group was lower than other groups when observed with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Considering the bacterial activity and acidity of vitamin supplements, it is necessary to pay close attention when children taken the vitamin supplements for their oral health.