Evaluation of Mother's Complementary Feeding Knowledge and Occlusion

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Oral Health
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Maternal understanding of feeding practices is vital for child development.
• The impact of feeding methods on deciduous dentition requires further investigation.
• Early childhood oral health is influenced by various socio-economic and environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate mothers' awareness of feeding methods.
• To examine the relationship between feeding patterns and deciduous dentition.
• To assess the influence of maternal literacy on children's occlusion.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 230 mothers and their children (aged 6 months to 5 years).
• Data collection through oral health questionnaires administered to mothers.
• Analysis of feeding patterns, maternal literacy, and children's occlusal status.

Main Results:

• Children of illiterate mothers exhibited significantly different occlusion quality compared to children of literate mothers.
• Early introduction of supplementary feeding (before 6 months) was associated with a higher likelihood of occlusal changes.
• No significant correlation was found between malocclusion prevalence and specific meal behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Maternal literacy and early feeding practices are significant factors influencing children's occlusion.
• Further research is recommended to elucidate the complex relationship between feeding behaviors and malocclusion.
• Interventions promoting optimal feeding practices and oral hygiene awareness among mothers may benefit pediatric dental health.