Resumo (EN)
This review of the literature aimed at the relationship of diet, as the determining factor, on dental caries. For the elaboration of this work, we carried out consultations, electronic communications in the MEDLINE and LILACS databases. From the contents, critical readings of 198 abstracts found of complete articles published in the last 10 years that offer an available access in the consulted databases were made. After this stage, we included a total of 36 articles for the preparation of work. Sucrose is the most cariogenic dietary sugar. Its the early introduction this sugar into the diet and high frequency of ingestion associated with a pre-school attendance experience. The type and form of food intake should be considered for the determination of its cariogenic potential. There is a positive association between inadequate eating patterns established in childhood and the progression of dental caries disease.