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Parents and nursing-bottle caries
T van Everdingen1, M A Eijkman, J Hoogstraten
1Department of Social Dentistry and Dental Health Education, University of Amsterdam/ACTA, The Netherlands.
ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Parents of children with nursing bottle caries are more likely to offer bottles from birth with sugary drinks, day and night. Habits and frequent childhood illness contribute to this dental decay.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Nursing bottle caries is a significant dental issue in young children.
- Parental habits play a crucial role in the development of early childhood caries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of parental practices in nursing bottle caries.
- To identify differences between parents of children with and without nursing bottle caries.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was developed to gather data from parents.
- Comparison of parenting habits and child health factors between caries and non-caries groups.
Main Results:
- Parents of children with nursing bottle caries more frequently initiated bottle-feeding from birth.
- Bottles given to caries-affected children contained sugared drinks and were used both day and night.
- Children with caries were older and had experienced more frequent illnesses.
Conclusions:
- Habitual bottle use, especially with sugary drinks and at a later age, is a major factor in nursing bottle caries.
- Understanding typical parental behaviors associated with caries can inform targeted educational programs.
- Early intervention strategies should address parental feeding practices and the content of bottles.