Ganesh Akila, Sampath Vandana, Sivanandam Banu Priya, H Sangeetha, Ramesh Archana
Public Health Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Oral Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Cureus. 2020 Apr 2;12(4):e7516. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7516.
Background Tooth decay experience among toddlers and preschoolers is of epidemic proportions worldwide and dental caries still remains an important childhood disease affecting a considerable part of this population. Though the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is associated with several risk factors such as feeding and oral hygiene practices, Streptococcus mutans levels, socioeconomic status (SES), etc., it is suggested that these factors should be studied adequately to aid in the early prevention and management of ECC. Objective The objectives of the study were to: a) evaluate the distribution of ECC, b) study the role of SES in the occurrence of ECC, c) record the variations in feeding and dietary practices along with oral hygiene practices and d) Correlate the sweet score with ECC. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional observational study was conducted over a period of 6 months among 100 toddlers (12-36 months) attending the Pediatric outpatient department of a single medical institution in Chennai, India. The study consisted of an intra-oral examination followed by a face to face interview of the mothers of the children using a validated structured oral health questionnaire. Results SES and ECC were negatively correlated with statistically significant association. Majority of the subjects did not follow any oral hygiene practices before teeth erupted; few subjects used tooth brush and tooth paste after teeth erupted and followed oral hygiene practices once a day. Statistically significant positive correlation with ICDAS scores was noted in relation to the sweet score and the frequency of intake of sweet foods, candy, etc. Cavitated lesions were more common than non-cavitated lesions and majority of the posterior teeth had ICDAS score 4. Conclusion Healthcare providers for children must be well informed on the etiology and risk factors of ECC and guide children for their first dental visit within one year of age.
全球范围内，幼儿和学龄前儿童的龋齿问题呈流行态势，龋齿仍是影响相当一部分该年龄段人群的重要儿童疾病。尽管幼儿龋（ECC）的患病率与多种风险因素相关，如喂养和口腔卫生习惯、变形链球菌水平、社会经济地位（SES）等，但建议应充分研究这些因素，以助力ECC的早期预防和管理。
本研究的目的是：a）评估ECC的分布情况；b）研究SES在ECC发生中的作用；c）记录喂养和饮食习惯以及口腔卫生习惯的差异；d）将甜食评分与ECC进行关联。
本横断面观察性研究在印度钦奈一家单一医疗机构的儿科门诊对100名幼儿（12 - 36个月）进行，为期6个月。研究包括口腔内检查，随后使用经过验证的结构化口腔健康问卷对儿童母亲进行面对面访谈。
SES与ECC呈负相关，具有统计学意义。大多数受试者在牙齿萌出前未遵循任何口腔卫生习惯；少数受试者在牙齿萌出后使用牙刷和牙膏，且每天遵循一次口腔卫生习惯。甜食评分以及甜食、糖果等的摄入频率与国际龋病检测和评估系统（ICDAS）评分存在统计学意义的正相关。龋损病变比非龋损病变更常见，大多数后牙的ICDAS评分为4。
儿童医疗保健提供者必须充分了解ECC的病因和风险因素，并指导儿童在1岁内进行首次牙科就诊。
