Prolonged Breastfeeding and Dental Caries In Children In the Third Year of Life

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the association between long-term breastfeeding and dental caries in children during the third year of life. Study design: This retrospective longitudinal study consisted of children who were followed-up by the Maternal and Child Public Oral Health Program. Information regarding socio-economic class, demographic status, daily frequency of sucrose intake, breastfeeding duration and oral hygiene were collected with the aid of a questionnaire. Information on dental caries in the children was collected from dental records. Negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between breastfeeding duration and dental caries. Results: We included a total of 325 children in the study. The incidence of dental caries was found to be 12.92%. Even after adjustments, children who were breastfed for a period ≥24 months were more likely to have dental caries, when compared with children who were not breastfed or were breastfed for less than 6 months. Children who had a higher frequency of sucrose intake and those with dental plaque were more likely to have dental caries. Conclusion: In this study, a greater incidence of dental caries was found in children who were breastfed for a period ≥ 24 months..