ABSTRACT
PURPOSES: Generally, the incidence of caries in infants is decreasing, but the volume for children age 3 at Nakahara Ward in Kawasaki City is nearly 5 times higher than that of children at one year and 6 months of age (age 1.5). Here, we investigated the risk factors for cariogenesis during the period from age 1.5 till age 3, focusing on the household environment, lifestyle, diary habits and dental hygiene behavior. METHODS: A total of 491 children who had no caries at periodical health check at age 1.5 were chosen as subjects from those undergoing health check at our Public Health Center. The health check data at ages 1.5 and age 3 along with findings from the questionnaire survey at age 3 were analyzed by with reference to the presence or absence of caries in children at age 3. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI95) were first estimated for each risk factor to identify those highly correlated to cariogenesis. Then, logistic regression analysis was performed after adjustment for mutual correlation among the factors. RESULTS: The risk factors significantly correlated to cariogenesis during ages 1.5-3 were maternal feeding at age 1.5 (Odds ratio: 2.80, CI95: 1.42-5.57) and sweet intake of sweets 3 times or more everyday at age 3 (Odds ratio: 2.07, CI95: 1.24-3.43). Moreover, the lack of nightly teethbrushing by parents appeared linked with cariogenesis, (Odds ratio: 1.68, CI95: 0.90-3.14), albeit without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that caries is likely to be increased when maternal feeding is prolonged to age 1.5 and by consumption of sweets more than 3 times a day at age 3.
