Impact of Infant Feeding Practices on Caries Experience of Preschool Children

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the association between breastfeeding, bottle feeding, night feeding, age, and sex of the child on the caries experience. Method: Information was collected from the mothers of preschool children. Information included the age of the child, sex of the child, form of breastfeeding (whether exclusive,almost exclusive or mixed), duration of breastfeeding, night feeding habits of the child, and duration and content of bottle feeding. Intraoral examination was done to assess the dmft. The impact of the variables on the caries experience (rampant caries, no caries and the dmft) was then assessed. Results: The duration of breast feeding (p=0.002), and form of breast feeding (p=0.03) were significant predictors of the dmft. The dmft was highest in children who were breastfeed for longer than 18 months and highest for children who were exclusively breastfed. There is a strong association between rampant caries and duration of breast feeding only (p<0.001). The risk of having rampant caries increases by 10% (p = 0.012) with every month increase in the duration of breastfeeding. Conclusion: The duration of breastfeeding increased the risk for rampant caries in preschool children in Nigeria. The longer the duration, the higher the risk for caries.

Prevalence and socio-behavioral influence of early childhood caries, ECC, and feeding habits among 6 – 36 months old children in Uganda and Tanzania

“…This study revealed an on average longer breastfeeding exposure among children with than without caries experience. Previous evidence suggests that prolonged breastfeeding beyond one year is associated with ECC [20,44,45]. On the other hand, the prevalence of ECC recorded in the present study varied inversely with current breastfeeding status, being highest among children who were not breastfed across tooth types and study sites (Table 2).…”

Breastfeeding and the risk of dental caries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…There were eight additional cohort studies and three case–control studies . The remaining 46 studies were cross‐sectional in design . The studies were predominantly conducted in high and middle income countries with only eight studies from low income countries .…”

Association between early childhood caries and maternal caries status: A cross-section study in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

“…The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)[ 18 ] considers breastfeeding on demand after tooth eruption to be a risk factor for the development of the caries disease, which is in agreement with other studies. [ 19 20 21 ] However, it should be considered that the relationship between prolonged breast-feeding and the emergence of caries is complex and may be confused by others factors such age, sucrose consumption between main meals, and quality of oral hygiene. [ 22 ]…”