Lower dental caries experience has been observed in children and teenagers with the presence of black stains on dental structures. However, none of the previous investigations were population-based studies or adjusted the analysis for potential confounders. This study assessed the prevalence of black stains at the age of 5 in a population-based birth cohort from Pelotas, Brazil and investigated the association between black stains and dental caries. A total of 1,129 children from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort were examined at age 5, and their mothers were interviewed at their households. Dental examinations included a search for black stains and dental caries on the primary dentition through the dmf-s index. The mothers’ questionnaire comprised data on demographic, social, and behavior aspects. Prevalence of black stains was 3.5% (95% CI 2.5–4.7) and the prevalence of dental caries was 48.4% (95% CI 45.4–51.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between black stains and dental caries. Adjusted analysis revealed that the presence of black stains was associated with lower levels of dental caries (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.26–0.99). The results of the present study suggest that black stains are a protective factor for dental caries development.

Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as lesões de cárie proximais posteriores em dentes decíduos, comprovar a melhora no diagnóstico clínico com o uso da imagem radiográfica interproximal e verificar associações com variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas, clínicas e com o relato de frequência de escovação e do uso do fio dental. Método: Cinquenta crianças com idades entre cinco e oito anos, atendidas na Clínica Infantil da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, foram submetidas ao exame clínico e radiográfico interproximal bilateral realizado pelo único operador treinado, seguindo técnica padronizada. Dados demográficos e de higiene bucal foram coletados da entrevista com a mãe. O diagnóstico da imagem radiográfica foi conduzido por dois avaliadores calibrados (Kappa 0,85), a partir dos critérios de Rolla et al.,1996 modificados. Os resultados foram analisados utilizando de estatística descritiva e teste T (α=0.05). Resultados: Houve incremento de lesões de cárie proximais posteriores com o exame radiográfico, de 5,48 para 6,14 (p=0,001), ou seja, 25% das lesões. Dessas, 84,6% eram lesões em esmalte e 10,8% lesões em dentina. As lesões de cárie proximais posteriores em dentes decíduos mostraram-se associadas com a faixa etária (p=0,005), aumentando de 4,29 (5-6 anos) para 7,48 (7-8anos), com o estágio de irrupção dos primeiros molares permanentes (p=0,018), com a presença de sangramento gengival (p=0,040) e com a escolaridade materna (p=0,049). Não houve associação com o sexo, renda e com o relato da frequência de escovação e do uso do fio dental. Conclusão: Mesmo considerando a dificuldade técnica, a radiografia interproximal incrementa o diagnóstico clínico de lesões proximais posteriores em crianças.Cárie dentária; Radiografia interproximal; Dente decíduo. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the posterior approximal caries in primary teeth, show improvement in clinical diagnosis with the use of radiography bitewing and explore associations with demographic, socioeconomic, clinical and reporting of frequency of brushing and flossing. Method: Fifty children (5 to 8 years old), attending in the Pediatric Clinic of the College of Dentistry-Federal University of Pelotas, were clinically examined and a bilateral bitewing radiographic was taken by one previously trained operator with a standard technique. Demographic data and information on oral hygiene were collected from an interview answered by the children's mothers. The diagnostic assessment from the radiographic images was conducted by 2 calibrated examiners (Kappa 0.85), following Rolla et al., 1996 modified criteria. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics and t test (α=0.05). Results: Posterior approximal caries identification increased with the bitewing examination, from 5.48 to 6.14 (p=0.001). From the 25% lesions detected with the radiographic exam, 84.6% were enamel lesions and 10.8% were dentine lesions. Posterior approximal caries in primary teeth showed statistically significant association with: ...