Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Child temperament and risk factors for early childhood caries

Amanda Seiser Spitz1, Karin Weber-Gasparoni, Michael J Kanellis

  • 1College of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.

Journal of Dentistry for Children (Chicago, Ill.)
|September 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Mothers perceiving their child as "easy" may be linked to fewer early childhood caries (ECC) risk factors. Conversely, "difficult" temperaments correlate with increased ECC risks, like bottle-feeding to sleep.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.
  • Maternal perception of child temperament is an under-explored area in ECC research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal perception of child temperament and ECC risk factors.
  • To identify specific temperament-child characteristics linked to ECC.
  • To inform targeted interventions for ECC prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 629 patient records (ages 0-4) from the University of Iowa's Infant Oral Health Program.
  • Data collection included maternal reports on child temperament, ECC knowledge, diet, hygiene, and clinical oral examination findings.
  • Statistical analysis employed Chi-square tests and logistic regression models.

Main Results:

  • Children perceived as "easy" were more likely to be younger, breast-fed to sleep, breast-fed throughout the night, and have teeth brushed twice daily.
  • Children perceived as "difficult" showed higher likelihoods of being bottle-fed to sleep and having noncavitated lesions.
  • Logistic regression confirmed "easy" temperament associated with night breastfeeding (OR=1.77) and "difficult" temperament with bottle-feeding to sleep (OR=1.74).

Conclusions:

  • Maternal perception of a child's temperament is potentially associated with key early childhood caries risk factors.
  • Temperament may influence behaviors like feeding practices and oral hygiene, impacting ECC risk.
  • Further research is warranted to explore this relationship and its clinical implications.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants08:12

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

Published on: March 29, 2018

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth04:40

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth

Published on: March 27, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...