Introduction:
The elimination of highly cariogenic food products and reduction of the frequency of exposure to these products is an important component in the prophylaxis of caries in primary and permanent teeth.

Objective:
The objective of the study was a twenty-four-hour assessment of the frequency and quality of meals and beverages consumed, with consideration of cariogenicity of products used in children’s nutrition.

Material and Methods:
A survey was conducted in 2011 among parents/caregivers of 150 children, aged 7 months – 14 years, who reported to the Specialist Children’s Dental Practice at Regional Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszów.

Results:
The majority of children (67.5%) were breast-fed to 1 year of age. Nearly 2/3 of the children most frequently drank highly cariogenic beverages during the day, while only 1/3 of parents provided their children with mineral water to drink at nursery school/school. The greatest number of children (70%) came into contact with sweets for the first time when they were aged 1-2 years. The snacks most frequently consumed were sweets (53.5%), followed by fruits (29.3%), jelly/pudding (11%), crisps (4.6%) and fruit yoghurt (1.6%). In all age groups, children consumed highly cariogenic food products five times daily. These food products prevailed over low carcinogenic food, which dominated only during lunchtime.

Conclusions:
From the aspect of dental caries prophylaxis, the great majority of parents do not follow the principles of adequate nutrition of children. Children too frequently consume food products and beverages with a high sugar content and pulpy or sticky consistency. Among the beverages used in the nutrition of children fruit juice was most preferred, while the least preferred – milk. Children too early come into their first contact with sweets, eaten as snacks by more than a half of them.