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Total Breast-Feeding Duration and Dental Caries in Healthy Urban Children
Peter D Wong1, Catherine S Birken1, Patricia C Parkin1
1Division of Paediatric Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.
Insights
Longer breastfeeding duration in urban children is linked to increased dental caries risk. Extended breastfeeding, especially beyond two years, warrants greater attention for preventive dental care strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health Nutrition
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dental caries is a prevalent childhood disease.
- Breastfeeding is widely recommended for infant health.
- Understanding factors influencing pediatric dental health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and dental caries in urban children.
- To quantify the risk of dental caries with extended breastfeeding periods.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of urban children aged 1 to 6 years.
- Data collected via the TARGet Kids! practice-based research network.
- Parental report of dental caries as the primary outcome.
Main Results:
- Adjusted predicted probability of dental caries increased with longer breastfeeding duration (7% at 12 months to 16% at 36 months).
- Children breastfed for over 24 months had 2.75 times higher odds of dental caries compared to those breastfed for 0-5 months.
Conclusions:
- Extended breastfeeding duration is associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries in healthy urban children.
- Healthcare providers should offer enhanced anticipatory guidance on preventive dental care for prolonged breastfeeding.
- Particular attention is needed for children breastfed beyond two years of age.
Objective:
To determine if there is an association between longer breast-feeding duration and dental caries in healthy urban children.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study of urban children aged 1 to 6 years recruited through The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!) practice-based research network between September 2011 and August 2013. The main outcome measure was parental report of dental caries.
Results:
The adjusted predicted probability of dental caries was 7%, 8%, 11%, and 16% with total duration of breast-feeding duration of 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, respectively. In the adjusted logistic regression analyses, relative to breast-feeding 0 to 5 months, the odds of dental caries with total breast-feeding duration >24 months was 2.75 (95% confidence interval 1.61-4.72).
Conclusions:
Among healthy urban children, longer breast-feeding duration was associated with higher odds of dental caries. These findings support heightened awareness and enhanced anticipatory guidance for preventive dental care, particularly among children who breast-feed beyond 2 years of age.