Caries
Irene Hwang, DDS
Pediatric Dental Resident
Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
Children's Colorado Hospital
Denver, Colorado, United States
Elizabeth Shick, DDS, MPH
University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine
Anne Wilson, DDS, MS
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Emily Cooper, MS
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Bruce Dye, DDS, MPH
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Megan Weber, DMD, PhD
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Cristina Leon-Pineda, DMD, MPH, MSDS
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Anne Wilson, DDS, MS
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Purpose: Evaluate the association between dietary habits and caries experience of children participating in an infant oral health program and estimate caries experience.
Methods: Retrospective data from 1531 new patient charts from 2010 to 2012 were analyzed. Participants were patients in the Cavity-Free at Three program at Children’s Hospital Colorado Dental Center. Caregivers completed a caries risk questionnaire at the initial dental visit, and each child received a visual examination for caries experience as decayed and filled primary teeth (dft). Child demographics and dietary habits were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to determine the relationship between demographic data, dietary habits, and caries experience.
Results: Overall, 11% of children ages 1-2 years and 37% of children ages 2-3 years had caries experience (dft≥1). From the multivariable model, odds of caries was higher in children whose caregivers reported children drinking more than 6 ounces of juice per day (P=.038). Increased odds of caries was also associated with drinking beverages other than water or milk (soda, coffee/tea, horchata, calorie supplements, Kool-aid/Capri Sun, etc.) more than once per week (P= < .001). In contrast, sleeping with a bottle, bottle-use after 1 year of age, drinking from a bottle/breastfeeding at will, and snacking more than 2 times per day were not associated with presence of caries in the multivariable model.
Conclusions: Consuming sugar-containing and other beverages not adherent with oral health recommendations were predictive of caries among children 1-3 years old. Prevention and anticipatory guidance counseling programs should be aimed at this young age group.