Abstract
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is defined in the Guidelines of the American Association of Paediatric Dentists as a condition in children aged between 3-5 years where there is “The occurrence of one or more decayed (not cavitated or cavitated lesions). Teeth are missing (due to decay), or restored tooth surfaces†in any primary tooth in a child 71 months and below [1]. Also, the filled smooth surfaces in primary maxillary anterior teeth, or a decayed, missing or filled a score of >4 (age 3), >5 (age 4), or >6 (age 5) surfaces constitutes Severe-ECC. ECC is a public health problem with biological, social and behavioral diet [2]. Amongst the most prevalent chronic disease childhood is dental caries [3].Caries in very young children known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) may be defined as at least one carious lesion affecting an anterior maxillary tooth in preschool- aged children [4]. The age for ECC is defined from 3years to 5 years where there is one or more cavitated, missing (due to caries), or filled smooth surfaces in primary maxillary anterior teeth. A decayed, missing or filled a score of ≥4 surfaces age three-years, ≥5 tooth surfaces for age 4years or ≥6 affected tooth surfaces for age five years constitute severe-ECC [5]. In Kenya, a prevalence of 63.5% has been reported with a mean dmft of 2.95 among 3-5-yr old children and in a different study a mean dmft of 1.35 and 1.88 for 3yr-olds and five-year-olds respectively [6,7]. Milnes [5] show that carries on maxillary anterior primary dentition has the highest prevalence in Africa [4].The risk factors which have been associated with ECC the child’s low birth weight, maternal education, and duration of feeding at infancy and toddler stage, low socioeconomic status among others [3,6] .Dental caries is an infectious disease that is modified by diet. The biological mechanisms of dental caries are well established [2].
Highlights
It is a disease with some critical aetiological factors each of which must be simultaneously present to initiate and progress the disease
Much research into the aetiology and prevention of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) has focused on the dietary substrate component leading to the terms ‘baby bottle tooth decay’ and ‘nursing caries.’
More recent research confirming the relative role of the microbial and tooth resistance factors have fostered a better appreciation of the biological risk and protective factors in ECC
Summary
It is a disease with some critical aetiological factors each of which must be simultaneously present to initiate and progress the disease. Dental caries in early childhood is a highly virulent type, and it causes extensive destruction of the deciduous teeth, often very rapidly. Much research into the aetiology and prevention of ECC has focused on the dietary substrate component leading to the terms ‘baby bottle tooth decay’ and ‘nursing caries.’. The factors associated with ECC are fermentable carbohydrates (substrate); cariogenic microorganisms, the frequency of intake of refined sugars, tooth enamel defects such as enamel hypoplasia; and the socioeconomic state of the caregiver [8,9]. A new pathogen S. wiggsiea has been associated with severe early childhood caries may be due to extremes in one or more of the three factors above. Oral Rehabilitation of Severe Early Childhood Caries and Associated Challenges: Two Case Reports.
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