Abstract
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a major public health concern in the world. There is a high prevalence of ECC in developing countries. The review aimed to synthesise the published literature on the global prevalence of ECC and its associated factors. Researches conducted in Asian, European, American and African countries were included. The review included observational cross-sectional, case-control, cohort studies, and clinical trials. The ECC varies across countries and the continents. Several studies showed inequitable distribution of ECC within regions of a country. The result of this review provides global prevalence of ECC and associated risk factors. Despite the variation of prevalence of ECC, it remains a universal burden. Studies have demonstrated that even in developed countries, ECC represents a significant burden in preschool children. The S. mutans and , oral hygiene habits, breastfeeding and bottle feeding along with factors such as parental education are major risk factors for ECC. There have been limited studies conducted on ECC in Nepal.
Highlights
Prevention reported that in the United States, the prevalence of dental caries among 2–5 yearold children increased from 24.2 % in 1994 to 27.9% in 2004.1,5,11 The Dutch child population showed Early Childhood Caries (ECC) prevalence of only 9.3%
The prevalence in Germany ranged from 26.2% to 28.6%,12 Wales had a prevalence of ECC of 41%, England 27.9% and Scotland 33%
The ECC varies from country to country and it is not even same in the same continent
Summary
Childhood Caries (ECC) is defined by American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as the presence of one or more decayed (noncavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (because of caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child aged 71 months or younger. ECC is an infectious, multifactorial disease in which fermentable carbohydrate and biofilms on the teeth induce Streptococcus mutans (SM). ECC follows a specific pattern in that there is initial presence of white spots in the facial surfaces of maxillary primary inciso followed by progressive carious involvement and subsequently affecting the maxillary and mandibular primary first molars, maxillary canines and sometimes mandibular canines. The possible causes of ECC are poor oral hygiene, inadequate tooth brushing, sugar consumption, and snacks and frequency of between-meal snacks. The parental socio-economic factors have an association with ECC in children; lower social class, having lower social income, educational level and living conditions.7ECC process begins as soon as the first teeth erupt in the oral cavity and develops on smooth surfaces. The demineralization process is similar to all types of dental caries wherein the hydrogen ions of the acidic metabolic results of acidogenic microorganisms dissolve the carbonated hydroxyapatite crystal lattice of enamel, cementum and dentin. The sequelae does not end here but include a higher risk of new carious lesions, increase in dental treatment cost and time, emergency visits, increase in days with restricted activity, later caries in permanent dentition and malocclusion.. The sequelae does not end here but include a higher risk of new carious lesions, increase in dental treatment cost and time, emergency visits, increase in days with restricted activity, later caries in permanent dentition and malocclusion.3,8 It affects teeth and oral cavity but may lead to other extensive and progressive health issues like loss of appetite, lethargy, chewing difficulty, gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition, delayed or insufficient growth, poor speech articulation, low self-esteem and social isolation.. The sequelae does not end here but include a higher risk of new carious lesions, increase in dental treatment cost and time, emergency visits, increase in days with restricted activity, later caries in permanent dentition and malocclusion. It affects teeth and oral cavity but may lead to other extensive and progressive health issues like loss of appetite, lethargy, chewing difficulty, gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition, delayed or insufficient growth, poor speech articulation, low self-esteem and social isolation. In this way, it affects the wellbeing and quality of life of the individual and his/her family
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