Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in 3-year-old Lithuanian children. The impact of selected behavioral risk factors on the development of S-ECC was investigated. A total of 950 children were examined in kindergartens. Diagnosis of dental caries followed the WHO criteria. Questionnaires were delivered to mothers of the children with S-ECC and caries-free children. The questions were related to the children's dietary habits, temperament, oral hygiene, and the use of fluoride toothpaste. The prevalence of ECC was 50.6% with a mean dmft of 2.1 (SD, 0.1) and a mean dmfs of 3.4 (SD, 0.2). The prevalence of S-ECC was 6.5% with a mean dmft of 7.8 (SD, 0.1) and dmfs of 18.1 (SD, 0.6). A significantly higher percentage of children developed S-ECC when they were breast-fed for a period longer than one year, were sleeping with a bottle containing carbohydrates during the night, or were allowed to sip from a bottle either going to sleep or during the day. A significantly higher percentage of mothers having caries-free children knew about risk factors of S-ECC and started tooth brushing after the eruption of the first tooth. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste. Improper infant bottle-feeding habits and no tooth brushing were found to be significant for the development of S-ECC among 3-year-old Lithuanian children.
Highlights
Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is rampant caries affecting the primary dentition
A significantly higher percentage of mothers having caries-free children knew about risk factors of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and started tooth brushing after the eruption of the first tooth
Improper infant bottle-feeding habits and no tooth brushing were found to be significant for the development of S-ECC among 3-year-old Lithuanian children
Summary
Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is rampant caries affecting the primary dentition. S-ECC has been described as nursing caries (NC) or baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) [1]. The broader term of ECC (early childhood caries) is used to describe tooth decay in preschool children and covers BBTD [2]. The child’s immaturity, developing cognition, and dependence on adults influence interpretations of pain. This creates a problem when the need for treatment is assessed [6]. Children who have caries in their primary teeth are more likely to develop dental caries in their permanent dentition [7].
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