Early Childhood Caries: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Early childhood caries (ECC) is major oral health problem, mainly in socially disadvantaged populations. ECC affects infants and preschool children worldwide. The prevalence of ECC differs according to the group examined, and a prevalence of up to 85% has been reported for disadvantaged groups. ECC...

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Published in:Frontiers in pediatrics Vol. 5; p. 157
Main Authors: Anil, Sukumaran, Anand, Pradeep S.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 18.07.2017
Subjects:
dental caries
dietary habits
early childhood caries
oral health
pediatric oral health
Pediatrics
sociodemographic factors
dental caries
sociodemographic factors
infant feeding
early childhood caries
oral health
dietary habits
pediatric oral health
ISSN:2296-2360, 2296-2360
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Early childhood caries (ECC) is major oral health problem, mainly in socially disadvantaged populations. ECC affects infants and preschool children worldwide. The prevalence of ECC differs according to the group examined, and a prevalence of up to 85% has been reported for disadvantaged groups. ECC is the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled primary teeth in children aged 71 months (5 years) or younger. It begins with white-spot lesions in the upper primary incisors along the margin of the gingiva. If the disease continues, caries can progress, leading to complete destruction of the crown. The main risk factors in the development of ECC can be categorized as microbiological, dietary, and environmental risk factors. Even though it is largely a preventable condition, ECC remains one of the most common childhood diseases. The major contributing factors for the for the high prevalence of ECC are improper feeding practices, familial socioeconomic background, lack of parental education, and lack of access to dental care. Oral health plays an important role in children to maintain the oral functions and is required for eating, speech development, and a positive self-image. The review will focus on the prevalence, risk factors, and preventive strategies and the management of ECC.
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Edited by: Seter Siziya, Copperbelt University, Zambia
Reviewed by: Alla B. Salmina, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Russia; Agima Ljaljević, Center of Health Promotion Institute of Public Health, Montenegro
Specialty section: This article was submitted to Child Health and Human Development, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics
ISSN:2296-2360
2296-2360
DOI:10.3389/fped.2017.00157