Home
Scholarly Works
Total Breast-Feeding Duration and Dental Caries in...
Journal article

Total Breast-Feeding Duration and Dental Caries in Healthy Urban Children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is an association between longer breast-feeding duration and dental caries in healthy urban children. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of urban children aged 1 to 6 years recruited through The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!) practice-based research network between September 2011 and August 2013. The main outcome measure was parental report of dental caries. RESULTS: The adjusted predicted probability of dental caries was 7%, 8%, 11%, and 16% with total duration of breast-feeding duration of 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, respectively. In the adjusted logistic regression analyses, relative to breast-feeding 0 to 5 months, the odds of dental caries with total breast-feeding duration >24 months was 2.75 (95% confidence interval 1.61-4.72). CONCLUSIONS: Among healthy urban children, longer breast-feeding duration was associated with higher odds of dental caries. These findings support heightened awareness and enhanced anticipatory guidance for preventive dental care, particularly among children who breast-feed beyond 2 years of age.

Authors

Wong PD; Birken CS; Parkin PC; Venu I; Chen Y; Schroth RJ; Maguire JL; Abdullah K; Anderson LN; Birken CS

Journal

Academic Pediatrics, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 310–315

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

April 1, 2017

DOI

10.1016/j.acap.2016.10.021

ISSN

1876-2859

Contact the Experts team