Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Feeding Practices and Early Childhood Caries - a Review


Affiliations
1 Department of Community Dentistry, SJM Dental College and Hospital Davangere, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Community Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India
3 Department of Community Dentistry, Al-Ameen Dental College and Hospital, Bijapur, Karnataka, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Early childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of 1 or more decayed (noncavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child 71 months of age or younger. It has a debilitating effect on the development, speech, general health, and self-esteem of infants. Predisposing factors for ECC is considered to be multifactorial and is still unclear. The association between feeding practices and caries remains controversial with some studies finding no correlation, while others showing relation. ECC is a complex entity in which feeding practices alone does not play a prime role but is influenced by a myriad of cultural, behavioral, biological and microbiological factors. So, the area has conflicting reports which needs further research.

Keywords

Feeding Practices, Early Childhood Caries, Breast Feeding, Bottle Feeding, Pacifiers
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Weinstein P. Public health issues in early childhood caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1998; 26: Suppl 1: 84-90.

  • Ramos-Gomez F J, Tomar S L, Ellison J, Artiga N, Sintes J and Vicuna G. Assessment of early childhood caries and dietary habits in a population of migrant Hispanic children in Stockton, California. J Dent Child 1999; 66: 395-403.

  • King N M, Isabel IM and Tsai J S J. Caries prevalence and distribution, and oral health habits of zero-to four-year-old children in Macua, China. J Dent Child 2003; 70: 243-9.

  • Rosenblatt A and Zarzar P. Breast-feeding and early childhood caries: an assessment among Brazilian infants. Int J Pediatr Dent 2004; 14: 439-45.

  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on Early Childhood Caries (ECC): Classifications, consequences, and preventive strategies. Pediatr Dent 2004-2005 Reference Manual; 13: 31-3.

  • Ripa L W. Nursing caries: a comprehensive review. Pediatr Dent 1988; 10: 268-82.

  • Vianna R. Cariogenic potential of milk [thesis]. Indiana University School of Dentistry, 1971.

  • Rugg-Gunn A J, Roberts G J and Wright W G. Effect of human milk on plaque pH in situ and enamel dissolution in vitro compared with bovine milk, lactose and sucrose. Caries Res 1985; 19: 327-34.

  • Kim Seow W. Biological mechanisms of early childhood caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1998; 26: Suppl 1: 8-27.

  • Erickson P R, McClintock K L, Green N and La Fleur J. Determination of the caries risk associated with infant formulas. Pediatr Dent (submitted).

  • Bowen W H, Pearson S K, Rosalen P L, Miguel J C and Shih A Y. Assessing the cariogenic potential of some infant formulas, milk and sugar solutions. J Am Dent Assoc 1997; 128: 865-71.

  • Frostell G. Effects of milk, fruit juices, and sweetened beverages on the pH of dental plaques. Acta Odontol Scand 1970; 28: 609-22.

  • Albert R J, Cantin R Y, Cross H G and Castaldi C R. Nursing caries in the Inuit children. J Can Dent Assoc 1988; 54: 751-8.

  • Weinstein P, Domoto P, Wohlers K and Koday M. Mexican- American parents with children at risk for baby bottle tooth decay. J Dent Child 1992; 59: 376-83.

  • Van Houte. Role of microorganisms in caries etiology. J Dent Res 1994; 73: 672-81.

  • Dilley G J, Dilley D H and Machen J B. Prolonged nursing habit: A profile of patients and their families. J Dent Child 1980; 47: 102-8.

  • Winter G B, Rule D C, Mailer G P, James P M C and Gordon P H. The prevalence of dental caries in preschool children aged 1 to 4 years. Br Dent J 1971; 139: 271-7.

  • Gardner D E, Norwood J R and Eisenson J E. At-will breast feeding and dental caries: four case reports. J Dent Child 1977; 44: 187-91.

  • Alaluusua S, Myllarniemi S, Kallio M, Salmenpera L and Tainio V M. Prevalence of caries and salivary levels of mutans streptococci in 5-year old children in relation to duration of breast feeding. Scand J Dent Res 1990; 98: 193-6.

  • Slavkin H. Streptococcus Mutans: Early Childhood Caries and New Opportunities. J Am Dent Assoc 1999; 130: 1787-92.

  • Valaitis R, Hesch R, Passarelli C, Sheehan D and Sinton J. A systematic review of the relationship between breastfeeding and early childhood caries. Can J Public Health 2000; 91: 411-7.

  • Jose B and King N M. Early childhood caries lesions in preschool children in Kerala, India. Pediatr Dent 2003; 25: 594-600.

  • Tsubouchi J, Higashi T, Shimono T, Domoto P K and Weinstein P. A study of baby bottle tooth decay and risk factors for 18-month old infants in rural Japan. J Dent Child 1994; 61: 293-8.

  • Harrison R, Wong T, Ewan C, Contreras B and Phung Y. Feeding practices and dental caries in an urban Canadian population of Vietnamese preschool children. J Dent Child 1997; 64: 112-7.

  • Hallett K B and O’Rourke P K. Early childhood caries and infant feeding practice. Community Dent Health 2002; 19: 237-42.

  • Wyne A H, Adenubi J O, Shalan T and Khan N. Feeding and socioeconomic characteristics of nursing caries children in a Saudi population. Pediatr Dent 1995; 17: 451-4.

  • Muller M. Nursing bottle syndrome: risk factors. J Dent Child 1996; 63: 42-50.

  • Wendt L K, Hallosten A L, Koch G and Birkhed D. Analysis of caries-related factors in infants and toddlers living in Sweden. Acta Odontol Scand 1996; 54: 131-7.

  • Wan A K L, Seow W K, Purdie D M, Bird P S, Walsh L J and Tudehope D I. Oral colonization of Streptococcus mutans in six-month-old predentate infants. J Dent Res 2001; 80: 2060-5.

  • Peressini S. Pacifier use and early childhood caries: an evidencebased study of the literature. J Can Dent Assoc 2003; 69: 16-9.


Abstract Views: 274

PDF Views: 0




  • Feeding Practices and Early Childhood Caries - a Review

Abstract Views: 274  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Sowmya Rajshekar Anaberu
Department of Community Dentistry, SJM Dental College and Hospital Davangere, Karnataka, India
Laxminarayan Nagesh
Department of Community Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India
K. Sunder Kote
Department of Community Dentistry, Al-Ameen Dental College and Hospital, Bijapur, Karnataka, India

Abstract


Early childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of 1 or more decayed (noncavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child 71 months of age or younger. It has a debilitating effect on the development, speech, general health, and self-esteem of infants. Predisposing factors for ECC is considered to be multifactorial and is still unclear. The association between feeding practices and caries remains controversial with some studies finding no correlation, while others showing relation. ECC is a complex entity in which feeding practices alone does not play a prime role but is influenced by a myriad of cultural, behavioral, biological and microbiological factors. So, the area has conflicting reports which needs further research.

Keywords


Feeding Practices, Early Childhood Caries, Breast Feeding, Bottle Feeding, Pacifiers

References