Association between oral-health related factors and early childhood caries in children between age 36 and 72 months from Rural North Karnataka

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the association between oralhealth related factors and early childhood caries (ECC) and severe early childhood caries (SECC) in 3-6 year-old children. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from randomly selected 194 children, between 3 and 6 years of age, and their mothers, regarding oral hygiene habits, infant-feeding habits and salivary contact between the mother and the child. Children's deft, defs, and severity of early childhood caries were recorded. Results: Out of the 194 children examined, 79 had early childhood caries and 59 had severe early childhood caries. Statistical analyses revealed significant association between early childhood caries and Age of the child, breast feeding habits, bottle feeding, presence of Caries in the mother, brushing habit of the mother and increased dietary carbohydrate intake. Age of the child, Presence of caries of mother, DMFT /DMFS scores and Dietary habits of the mother were found to be significant risk factors for the severity of early childhood caries. Conclusion: It was apparent from this study that no single risk factor played important role in development of early childhood caries in preschool children. This study most certainly corroborates multifactorial etiology of early childhood caries. There is a need for education about the various risk factors for ECC, especially to the new mothers.