Relationship between severe early childhood caries, mother's oral health and mutans streptococci in a low-income group: changes from 1996 to 2007

Abstract

The relationship between dental caries and mutans streptococci (ms) in children and their mothers is a key factor in the prevention of early childhood caries. Changes in early childhood caries over time in Mexican children have not been well documented.

Objective: To compare the dental caries indices and presence of ms in 3- to 5-year-old children and their mothers in two surveys, the first one carried out in 1996 and the second one in 2007.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Results: The first survey included 102 mother-child dyads and the second 103. Dental caries index dmfs was 7.17 (+/- 10.9) and 4.58 (+/- 7.1) in the first and second survey, respectively (p < 0.05). Ms levels were higher in 1996 than in 2007 (p < 0.001). The prevalence of Severe Early Childhood Caries (SECC) was 42.2% and 34.95% in first and second surveys, respectively, (p > 0.05). Children with SECC showed higher counts of ms than children without this condition. A high caries index in mothers was associated with higher caries experience in their children.

Conclusion: The compassions of the surveys indicated a decline in dental caries indices over an 11-year period. High caries experience in the mother had a negative impact on the oral condition of the child.