Familial and dietary risk factors in Early Childhood Caries

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To evaluate the causes of Early Childhood Caries.

Methods

Study Design: A statistical comparison of two groups of patients, aged between 3 and 6, and their parents, in the 3-year
period 2013-2015 was performed. Two groups of patients were selected: 40 children with early childhood caries (ECC group) and 40
children with no decay (controls). Parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire on food habits, oral hygiene habits, fluoride prophylaxis
and family history of caries. A dental visit of children and parents was performed (collection of dmft and DMFT index). The saliva
features of the two groups of children (concentration of Streptococcus mutans, pH of the oral cavity and buffer capability of stimulated
saliva) were examined by means of salivary tests. The distribution of the population was analysed and parametric and non-parametric
tests for continuous and non-continuous variables, were used when appropriate. The statistical significance was set at p > 0.005.

Results

Statistics: The average age, gender and BMI index of children of the two groups was similar. The difference between the
two groups is statistically significant for pH (p=0.000) and buffer capability (p=0.001). The DMFT index in the group of mothers of ECC
children is higher compared to the mothers of controls (p=0.004). The comparison among the means, for the parameters connected to
the consumption of fruit juice, tea, soft drinks, candies, use of pacifier dipped in sugar or honey and the length (in months) of
consumption of candies show statistically significant differences (p>0.05). The pH is higher in those children (24) who never
consumed fruit juice, tea, soft drinks before the information received (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children developing Early Childhood Caries have a diet characterised by high free sugars intake. Diet and, in particular, the consumption of drinks containing free sugars is the most important factor in determining the onset of ECC, being able to affect the oral environment and, in particular, saliva. There is a relationship between maternal and child's oral health, with a DMFT higher in mothers of ECC subjects than in controls' mothers.

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