Friday, June 4, 2010

Dental caries and prolonged breast-feeding in 18-month old Swedish children

Resident’s Name: Joanne Lewis Date: June 4, 2010

Article title: Dental caries and prolonged breast feeding in 18-month-old Swedish children

Author(s): A. L. Hallonsten, et al

Journal: International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 1995; 5:149-155

Type of Article: research

Main Purpose: to study the prevalence of dental caries and prolonged breastfeeding in 18-month-old infants.

Methods: 3000 infants were screened for dental caries and ongoing breast-feeding at welfare centers throughout Sweden. 200 were selected for a more comprehensive examination including dietary and hygiene habits, use of fluoride, and salivary levels of strep mutans and lactobacilli. The 200 children were divided into 4 groups – 1.) children with caries but not breast fed 2.) children with caries being breast fed 3.) caries-free children being breast fed. 4.) reference group – age and gender matched, no caries, not breast-fed.

Results: 63 (2.1%) of the 3000 children had caries and 61 (2.0%) were still being breast-feed. 12 (19.7%) of the 61 children still being breast-fed had caries; 51 (1.7%) of the 2939 children not being breast-feed had caries. 85% of the children had their teeth brushed daily; 39% used fluoride tablets daily. Groups 1, 2 and 3 had a significantly higher number of food intakes per day than the reference group. Regardless of breast-feeding, caries-free children (groups 3 and 4) had a significantly lower level of strep mutans and lactobacilli than children with caries.

Key points/Summary: Children with prolonged breast-feeding have a tendency to develop unsuitable dietary habits which put them at risk for ECC.

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