Risk factors for severe early childhood caries in children younger than 4 years old in Beijing, China

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare cariogenic factors and acidogenic ability of bacteria between severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and caries-free children in Beijing, China.

Methods: The study consisted of 117 S-ECC children and 129 caries-free children < 4 years old. A questionnaire was designed to collect background information, feeding habits, and oral hygiene practices. Dental plaque samples were collected to test acidogenic ability of bacteria.

Results: Compared with the mothers of caries-free children, those of S-ECC children had a lower education level and poorer knowledge of oral hygiene (P < .05). Night-feeding and eating sweets several times a day were significantly more common in S-ECC children than in caries-free children (P < .001). Forty-six S-ECC children but only 2 caries-free children received prechewed food (P < .001). The results of the Cariostat test showed that the majority of the caries-free children (81%) were at a low risk level, and most of the S-ECC children (78%) were at a high risk level (P < .001).

Conclusions: There was strong relationship between high acidogenic ability of bacteria and S-ECC. A lower maternal education level, poor knowledge of oral hygiene, night-feeding, and excessive sugar intake were important contributors to the development of S-ECC.