A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Caries experience and caries increments at 10 years of age
Authors: Mattila Marja-Leena, Rautava Päivi, Paunio P, Ojanlatva Ansa, Hyssälä L, Helenius Hans, Sillanpaa Matti
Publisher: KARGER
Publication year: 2001
Journal: Caries Research
Journal name in source: CARIES RESEARCH
Journal acronym: CARIES RES
Volume: 35
Issue: 6
First page : 435
Last page: 441
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0008-6568
eISSN: 1421-976X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000047487
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the caries experience of 10-year-olds as measured with dmft/DMFT, to explain how caries increases by the age of 10 years, and which factors would explain caries increments. The setting was a representative population sample of first-born children in southwestern Finland. Dental health at 10 years of age was found to be good in 45%, fairly good in 40% and poor in 15% of the children. The caries index remained stable in 23% of carious children from 7 to 10 years of age. Daily consumption of sweets at the age of 3 years (OR 2.7; 95% Cl 1.5-4.8; p < 0.001) was associated with a caries increment between 7 and 10 years of age (both deciduous and permanent teeth). This daily consumption of sweets and a child's late bedtime (OR 1.9; 95% Cl 1.1-3.1; p = 0.023) were explanatory factors in the permanent teeth alone. In the deciduous teeth, mother's previous caries and child's earlier tooth brushing habits were explanatory factors of caries. As hypothesized, all five significant factors remaining in the final logistic regression analysis were family-related. Parental ability to care for and educate a child could be seen in dental health still at the age of 10 years. The family-related factors which were associated with caries should be emphasized much more comprehensively in everyday dental health care practice. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.
The aim of the study was to examine the caries experience of 10-year-olds as measured with dmft/DMFT, to explain how caries increases by the age of 10 years, and which factors would explain caries increments. The setting was a representative population sample of first-born children in southwestern Finland. Dental health at 10 years of age was found to be good in 45%, fairly good in 40% and poor in 15% of the children. The caries index remained stable in 23% of carious children from 7 to 10 years of age. Daily consumption of sweets at the age of 3 years (OR 2.7; 95% Cl 1.5-4.8; p < 0.001) was associated with a caries increment between 7 and 10 years of age (both deciduous and permanent teeth). This daily consumption of sweets and a child's late bedtime (OR 1.9; 95% Cl 1.1-3.1; p = 0.023) were explanatory factors in the permanent teeth alone. In the deciduous teeth, mother's previous caries and child's earlier tooth brushing habits were explanatory factors of caries. As hypothesized, all five significant factors remaining in the final logistic regression analysis were family-related. Parental ability to care for and educate a child could be seen in dental health still at the age of 10 years. The family-related factors which were associated with caries should be emphasized much more comprehensively in everyday dental health care practice. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.