Early Childhood Caries-Association with S.Mutans and Feeding Practices

Dental caries afflicts humans of all ages and in all regions of the world. It is a disease that may never be eradicated. Caries in infants and young children has long been recognized as a clinical syndrome. The term Early Childhood Caries (ECC) was suggested at a workshop held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Many aspects of ECC have not been adequately explored, i.e. children affected, prevention of initiation of dental caries, progression of the disease once it gets established. In this context, determining patient's risk status becomes one of primary importance.Several studies have observed an inverse association between breast-feeding and dental caries, while other studies have failed to show any such beneficial association. Diet also plays an important role in the acquisition and clinical expression of this infection. ECC is an infectious disease, and mutans streptococci (MS), including the species Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, are the most common causative agents.Hence, this study was undertaken with the objective to associate the feeding practices and streptococcus mutans with early childhood caries among 3-5 year-old school children.