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Does having children affect women's oral health? A longitudinal study
Emma L Morelli1, Jonathan M Broadbent1, Ellie T Knight1
1University of Otago - Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|June 14, 2021
Summary
Having more children is linked to increased dental caries and tooth loss, particularly when parenthood begins earlier. This association between the number of children and dental health is influenced by social factors and health behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Oral health research
- Reproductive health
- Longitudinal cohort studies
Background:
- Common belief suggests childbirth negatively impacts women's oral health.
- This study investigates the association between number of children and dental disease in both men and women.
- Examines if this association is influenced by other variables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the number of children is associated with dental disease and tooth loss in men and women.
- To explore the influence of other variables on this association.
- To analyze the impact of the age of parenthood on dental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study.
- Included 1037 individuals (48.4% female) followed from birth to age 45.
- Analyzed data from 437 women and 431 men.
Main Results:
- More children correlated with increased dental caries and tooth loss by age 45.
- Parenthood before age 26 was linked to poorer dental health compared to later parenthood or no children.
- No association found between number of children and periodontal attachment loss (PAL).
- Low educational attainment, poor oral hygiene, infrequent dental visits, and smoking were associated with poorer dental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Social factors, reproductive timing, and health behaviors significantly impact dental disease risk and management.
- Early parenthood is a key factor in the observed association between number of children and dental health.
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