Early Childhood Caries: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Prevention

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July 2017 | Volume 5 | Article 157
1
Review
published: 18 July 2017
doi: 10.3389/fped.2017.00157
Frontiers in Pediatrics | www.frontiersin.org
Edited by: 
Seter Siziya,
Copperbelt University, Zambia
Reviewed by: 
Alla B. Salmina,
Krasnoyarsk State Medical University 
named after Prof. V.F. Voino-
Yasenetsky, Russia
Agima Ljaljevic´,
Center of Health Promotion Institute 
of Public Health, Montenegro
*Correspondence:
Sukumaran Anil
[e-mail]
Specialty section: 
This article was submitted to Child 
Health and Human Development,
a section of the journal
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Received: 28 March 2017
Accepted: 27 June 2017
Published: 18 July 2017
Citation: 
Anil S and Anand PS (2017) Early 
Childhood Caries: Prevalence,
Risk Factors, and Prevention.
Front. Pediatr. 5:157.
doi: 10.3389/fped.2017.00157
early Childhood Caries: Prevalence,
Risk Factors, and Prevention
 
Sukumaran Anil
1
* and Pradeep S. Anand
2
1
 Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, AI-Kharj,
Saudi Arabia, 
2
 Department of Dentistry, ESIC Medical College, Parippally, India
Early childhood caries (ECC) is major oral health problem, mainly in socially disadvan-
taged populations. ECC affects infants and preschool children worldwide. The preva-
lence of ECC differs according to the group examined, and a prevalence of up to 85% 
has been reported for disadvantaged groups. ECC is the presence of one or more 
decayed, missing, or filled primary teeth in children aged 71 months (5 years) or younger. 
It begins with white-spot lesions in the upper primary incisors along the margin of the 
gingiva. If the disease continues, caries can progress, leading to complete destruction 
of the crown. The main risk factors in the development of ECC can be categorized 
as microbiological, dietary, and environmental risk factors. Even though it is largely a 
preventable condition, ECC remains one of the most common childhood diseases. The 
major contributing factors for the for the high prevalence of ECC are improper feeding 
practices, familial socioeconomic background, lack of parental education, and lack of 
access to dental care. Oral health plays an important role in children to maintain the oral 
functions and is required for eating, speech development, and a positive self-image. 
The review will focus on the prevalence, risk factors, and preventive strategies and the 
management of ECC.