title: Oral hygiene in relation to caries development and immigrant status in infants and toddlers.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe oral hygiene factors in infants and toddlers living in Sweden with special reference to caries prevalence at 2 and 3 yr of age and to immigrant status. The study was designed as a prospective, longitudinal study starting with 671 children aged 1 yr. At 3 yr, all the children were invited to a further examination. A total of 298 children, randomly selected from the original group, were also examined at 2 yr. The accompanying parent was interviewed about the child's oral health habits. Children who were free of caries at 3 yr had had their teeth brushed more frequently at 1 and 2 yr of age, had used fluoride (F)-toothpaste more often at 2 yr of age, and had a lower prevalence of visible plaque at 1 and 2 yr of age than children with caries. Immigrant children had had their teeth brushed less frequently, had used less F-toothpaste, and had a higher prevalence of visible plaque at 1 yr of age than nonimmigrant children. Early establishment of good oral hygiene habits and regular use of F-toothpaste seem to be important for achieving good oral health in pre-schoolchildren.
authors: Department of Preventive Dental Care, County of Jönköping, Sweden.
authors: L K
authors: LK
authors: Wendt
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Hallonsten
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Koch
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Birkhed
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013548:Sweden; D013607:Tablets; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes
chemical_list: D013607:Tablets; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides