Risk factors for caries incidence in a cohort of Flemish preschool children

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for the incidence of visible caries experience in a cohort of preschool children living in Flanders. Data were collected from 1,057 children; validated questionnaires on oral health-related behaviour were completed by parents at birth (2003)(2004), at age 3 (2007) and 5 years (2009). At ages 3 and 5, the children were examined by trained dentists. Logistic regression analyses were performed with the following as outcome variables: visible caries experience at age 3 and increment in visible caries experience between ages 3 and 5. At ages 3 and 5, enamel and/or dentinal caries experience was observed in 22% and 41% of the cohort, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the presence of visible plaque accumulation on at least one primary tooth was a significant risk factor for visible caries experience at age 3 and for an increment in caries experience between ages 3 and 5. Children with previous caries experience at age 3 had significantly higher odds for new caries lesions at age 5. Presence of visible plaque and previous caries experience are confirmed as significant risk factors for visible caries experience in preschool children. Interventions aimed at caries prevention should focus on very young children and on the control of plaque accumulation. The presence of visible plaque accumulation as a screening tool to identify young children at risk for future caries experience shows high potential.

Can insoluble polysaccharide concentration in dental plaque, sugar exposure and cariogenic microorganisms predict early childhood caries? A follow-up study

“…These results corroborate the findings of Alaluusua and Malmivirta 22 and Leroy et al 23 . Notably, the accumulation of clinically visible dental plaque is not only related to oral hygiene status 7 but more importantly reflects the sucrose consumption, which is related to IP synthesis by GTF.…”

Impact of caries onset on number and distribution of new lesions in preschool children

“…In a prospective study in Swedish 2.5‐year‐old children, 92% of the children with caries experience at baseline developed new lesions during 1‐year follow‐up, compared with 29% of the children who were caries‐free at baseline 14 . In this study, the differences between the two subgroups were not as extreme (58% vs 34%), yet they confirm earlier publications that children with early caries development are at higher risk for further caries development 14,16,24‐26 . Other risk factors that may have a profound impact on the incidence of caries experience in preschool children, like socio‐economic background, plaque accumulation, dietary, and oral hygiene habits, were not considered in this paper, because they were the main focus of a previous study performed in the same study population 26 .…”

Oral health and oral health-related behaviour in preschool children: evidence for a social gradient

“…Data were obtained on plaque accumulation and caries experience. The presence of visible plaque accumulation on the children's teeth was recorded as it has been identified as an important risk factor for developing caries [2,16]. Visible caries experience, hereafter referred to as 'caries', was calculated for each child; a record was made of untreated and treated (filled) teeth as well as teeth that were removed due to caries experience and expressed using the dmft index.…”

“…Visible caries experience, hereafter referred to as 'caries', was calculated for each child; a record was made of untreated and treated (filled) teeth as well as teeth that were removed due to caries experience and expressed using the dmft index. For a detailed description of the procedures the reader is referred to Declerck et al [16]. Data on behaviours were obtained at the same ages through structured and validated questionnaires, distributed through the kindergarten teachers and completed by the parents [33].…”