Risk factors of early childhood caries in Turkish children

This study was performed to determine the relationship between infant feeding habits, oral hygiene patterns, parents' education level and early childhood caries (ECC) in nine-to 59-month-old Turkish children. Clinical examinations were carried out by a pediatric dentist using dmft indices, and the dmft was found to be 5.8. In the other part of the study, the mothers completed questionnaires for information related to risk factors. Father's education level and fluoride consumption showed statistical associations with caries. Breast - bottle-feeding together was more common, and these children had a higher prevalence of caries than the children who were only breast-fed. Also, children who were bottle-fed at night developed more caries lesions. Frequent consumption of sugar-containing beverages was a common habit among children. Brushing habit did not have any effect on carious development in this study. Based on these associations it is concluded that ECC is a risk factor for general health of children in Turkey.