Interventions Targeting Bottle and Formula Feeding in the Prevention and Treatment of Early Childhood Caries, Overweight and Obesity: An Integrative Review

Overweight, obesity and early childhood caries (ECC) are preventable conditions affecting infants and young children, with increased prevalence in those formula-fed. Previous research has focused on distinct outcomes for oral health and healthy weight gain. However, the aetiology may be linked through overlapping obesogenic and cariogenic feeding behaviours, such as increased sugar exposure through bottle propping and overfeeding. Best-practice bottle feeding and transition to cup use may concurrently reduce overweight, obesity and ECC. This integrative review aimed to identify interventions supporting best-practice formula feeding or bottle cessation and examine the intervention effects on feeding, oral health and weight outcomes. The reviewers searched nine databases and found 27 studies that met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Eighteen studies focused on populations vulnerable to ECC or unhealthy weight gain. All studies focused on carer education; however, only 10 studies utilised behaviour change techniques or theories addressing antecedents to obesogenic or cariogenic behaviours. The outcomes varied: 16 studies reported mixed outcomes, and eight reported worsened post-intervention outcomes. While some studies reported improvements, these were not maintained long-term. Many study designs were at risk of bias. Effective intervention strategies for preventing ECC and child obesity require the holistic use of interdisciplinary approaches, consumer co-design and the use of behavioural change theory.

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Early childhood caries prevention: non-dental health professionals' viewpoint

British Journal of Nursing ◽

10.12968/bjon.2020.29.15.884 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (15) ◽

pp. 884-890

Author(s):

Javotte Nancy ◽

Terence Barsby ◽

Marie Theillaud ◽

Christelle Barbey-Massin ◽

Noëlie-B Thébaud

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Dental Health ◽

Bottle Feeding ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Interprofessional Training ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Childhood Caries

Background: Dental caries can develop early in life and have harmful consequences. Objective: To examine non-dental practitioners' knowledge of early childhood caries (ECC). Methods: A questionnaire on oral health and caries knowledge was emailed to five types of health professional who work with young children: paediatricians, GPs, midwives, paediatric nurses and paediatric healthcare assistants. Questions concerned: when a child should first visit a dentist; at what age toothbrushing should start; aetiopathogenic factors; early diagnosis; and the effect of breastfeeding. Results: 494 health professionals (79 paediatricians, 59 physicians, 217 midwives, 92 paediatric nurses and 47 paediatric healthcare assistants) participated. Although most (89.86%) discussed oral health with parents, responses on when a child should first see a dentist and when toothbrushing should start varied. Almost half of respondents said they could diagnose caries but not all were confident in this. Aetiological factors in ECC mentioned included oral hygiene, bottle feeding, sugar intake, genetics and a lack of fluoride. Conclusion: Non-dental practitioners lack knowledge about ECC, so cannot help prevent it. Initiatives including interprofessional training would improve their knowledge of oral health in early childhood.

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Promotion of Oral Health Care in Infants - A Preventive Strategy to Reduce the Burden of Early Childhood Caries

Acta Scientific Dental Scienecs ◽

10.31080/asds.2020.04.0828 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 18-22

Author(s):

Subhathira Rajasekaran ◽

Sham S Bhat ◽

Vidya Bhat ◽

Sundeep Hegde K ◽

Neha Thilak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Oral Health Care ◽

Preventive Strategy ◽

Childhood Caries

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Sugary Liquids in the Baby Bottle: Risk for Child Undernutrition and Severe Tooth Decay in Rural El Salvador

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 260

Author(s):

Priyanka Achalu ◽

Abhishek Bhatia ◽

Bathsheba Turton ◽

Lucy Luna ◽

Karen Sokal-Gutierrez

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Tooth Decay ◽

Child Undernutrition ◽

Baby Bottle ◽

Childhood Caries

As communities worldwide shift from consuming traditional diets to more processed snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), increases in child obesity and tooth decay and persistence of undernutrition are particularly apparent in Latin American countries. Further evidence of shared risk factors between child undernutrition and poor oral health outcomes is needed to structure more effective health interventions for children’s nutrition. This study aims to identify dietary, oral health, and sociodemographic risk factors for child undernutrition and severe early childhood caries (sECC) among a convenience sample of 797 caregiver–child pairs from rural Salvadoran communities. Caregiver interviews on child dietary and oral health practices were conducted, and their children’s height, weight, and dental exam data were collected. Multivariable regression analyses were performed using RStudio (version 1.0.143). Caregiver use of SSBs in the baby bottle was identified as a common significant risk factor for child undernutrition (p = 0.011) and sECC (p = 0.047). Early childhood caries (p = 0.023) was also a risk factor for developing undernutrition. Future maternal–child health and nutrition programs should coordinate with oral health interventions to discourage feeding children SSBs in the baby bottle and to advocate for policies limiting SSB marketing to young children and their families.

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The Impact of Maternal Self-Efficacy and Oral Health Beliefs on Early Childhood Caries in Latino Children

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2017.00228 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Anne R. Wilson ◽

Matthew J. Mulvahill ◽

Tamanna Tiwari

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Latino Children ◽

Oral Health Beliefs ◽

The Impact ◽

Childhood Caries

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Oral health promotion initiated during pregnancy successful in reducing early childhood caries

Evidence-Based Dentistry ◽

10.1038/sj.ebd.6400677 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 100-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Siobhan M Lucey

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Oral Health Promotion ◽

Childhood Caries

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Assessing the prevalence of early childhood caries and the associated determinants in a group of preschool children: results from a national oral health survey in Egypt

Egyptian Dental Journal ◽

10.21608/edj.2015.71243 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 31-39

Author(s):

Reham Abou El Fadl ◽

Mona Abdel Fattah ◽

Mona Ezz

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Childhood Caries

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Oral Hygiene Practices and Bottle Feeding Pattern Among Children with Early Childhood Caries: A Preliminary Study

Annals of Dentistry ◽

10.22452/adum.vol23no2.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Buhari N ◽

Zainal Abidin FN ◽

Mani SA ◽

Khan IM

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Bottle Feeding ◽

Feeding Pattern ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Childhood Caries

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Prevalence of Untreated Early Childhood Caries of 5-Year-Old Children in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182211934 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 11934

Author(s):

Faith Miaomiao Zheng ◽

Iliana Gehui Yan ◽

Duangporn Duangthip ◽

Sherry Shiqian Gao ◽

Edward Chin Man Lo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Oral Health ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Education Level ◽

Demographic Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related ◽

Childhood Caries

This cross-sectional survey investigated untreated early childhood caries (ECC) and its associated factors among 5-year-old children in Hong Kong. Children were recruited using a multistage sampling method. One dentist examined the children in kindergarten to diagnose untreated ECC (dt) at the cavitation level. Each child’s demographic information, snacking behaviour, and oral health-related practice were collected using a parental questionnaire. The relationships between the untreated ECC and demographic information, snacking behaviours, and oral health-–related practice were analysed by zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression analysis. This survey recruited 404 children. Their dt score was 2.8 ± 3.8. The significant untreated ECC (SiUC) index, which was one-third of the children with the highest dt score, was 7.1 ± 3.6. Their untreated ECC prevalence was 57%, which was associated with the district the child lived in. Most children with untreated ECC (71%, 164/231) had never visited a dentist. Children who brushed without toothpaste had more untreated ECC. Children coming from low-income families and with a lower maternal education level had a higher risk of ECC. In conclusion, untreated ECC was prevalent and unevenly distributed among 5-year-old children in Hong Kong. Its prevalence was associated with toothpaste use, family income, maternal education level and the district they lived in.

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Feeding practices and prevalence of early childhood caries among preschool children in urban and rural areas of Kannur district

International Journal of Dental Research ◽

10.14419/ijdr.v4i1.5770 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Aswathi Sreedharan ◽

Faizal CP ◽

Chandru TP

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Oral Health ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Knowledge ◽

Hygiene Measures ◽

Childhood Caries

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among children. Lack of proper Parental knowledge regarding feeding practices will have a deleterious effect on child oral health.Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of ECC and parental knowledge regarding feeding practices in young children.Methods: 500 preschool children aged between 36-60 months, were selected from twenty schools. The children’s were examined at the respective schools to determine the presence or absence of caries by using WHO criteria .A structured questionnaire was provided to 500 parents of the respective school children examined to assess their knowledge regarding feeding practices and oral hygiene measures in preschool children for prevention of ECCResult: The results of the children examined and the parent surveyed were tabulated and statistically analyzed by using chi-square test. The result showed that the prevalence rate of ECC among 500 children surveyed were about 56.3%.The knowledge regarding the feeding practices and oral hygiene measures overall was found to be 56.5%Conclusion: The prevalence of ECC was relatively high among the preschool children. The feeding practices and oral hygiene measures among parents was more off supporting the promotion of ECC. More emphasis should be given regarding introduction of oral hygiene practice from the first year of child’s life and also to conduct public awareness programme to achieve optimum oral health care in children.

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