Fewer Children in Families Associated with Lower Odds of Early Childhood Caries: A Sample from Three Countries

Abstract

Childhood caries experience is influenced by family characteristics and oral health practices in the context of many social-commercial determinants. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between families’ number of children, oral health practices and child caries experience in a convenience sample of 1374 children aged 6 months through 6 years and their families from Ecuador, Nepal, and Vietnam. Data were collected by mother interviews and child dental exams. Multivariate logistic and Zero-Inflated-Poisson regression analyses assessed associations between number of children, oral health practices and decayed, missing or filled teeth (dmft). Families had a mean of 2.2 children (range 1–12); 72% of children had tooth decay, with mean dmft of 5.4. Adjusting for child age, sex, and urban/rural location, a greater number of children in the family was associated with significantly less likelihood of unhealthy bottle feeding practices, having a toothbrush/toothpaste and parent helping child brush, and being cavity-free; higher number of dmft, and greater likelihood of having a dental visit. Early childhood oral health promotion should include focus on oral hygiene and healthy feeding—particularly breastfeeding and healthy bottle feeding practices—as well as access to family planning services and support for childcare.

Maternal–child consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in informal settlements in Mumbai, India

“…At the family level, the number of household members and money given to the child were significantly associated with children’s consumption of UPF/SSB and oral health status, underscoring the importance of extending interventions to the whole family, including grandmothers, who are traditionally key decision-makers for Indian household finances, parenting and child nutrition practices [ 27 , 48 ]. At the community level, the strong association between proximity to stores and children’s UPF/SSB consumption supports findings that urbanization and global marketing have made unhealthy snack foods and beverages easily accessible in children’s environments.…”

Maternal factors associated with early childhood caries among 3–5-year-old children with low socio-economic status in Trishal, Bangladesh

“…A myriad of factors contributes to this increased risk, including financial constraints ( 3 ), restricted access to dental services ( 21 ), limited knowledge of effective oral hygiene practices ( 9 ), and insufficient resources for proper dental care ( 22 ). Furthermore, unhealthy dietary habits, such as the consumption of sugary snacks and beverages ( 23 ), exacerbate the prevalence of dental caries within low-income communities.…”

Caries Experience in Preschoolers in Three Ecuadorian Communities

“…In general, the consequences of preschool caries generate new carious lesions that affect not only the primary dentition, but also the permanent dentition [16,17]. In addition, high demand for emergency consultations, hospitalizations, high treatment costs, and absence from school ensue; in other words, preschool caries directly affects the masticatory and phonatory functions, social interactions, and cognitive development of affected children, with a consequent decrease in the quality of life, not only in the children, but also their parents, who suffer from the resultant stress as well [18,19].…”