title: A long-term effect of caries-related factors in initially  caries-free children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the rate and pattern of early childhood caries development in caries-free children based on their dental plaque accumulations, salivary Streptococcus mutans levels, maternal sharing, oral hygiene, and feeding attitudes at baseline and at 24-month follow-up period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 92 children, aged between 15 to 35 months, comprised the study group. The children's dental examinations were first carried out at baseline, and 56 of them were re-examined 24 months later to determine the changes in dental status. The mothers were also interviewed at each examination based on a prepared questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of caries incidence was 45% at 24-month evaluation period among initially caries-free children. The new caries formation was mostly observed on occlusal and aproximal surfaces of maxillary molars (28% and 26%) followed by mesial, distal and buccal surfaces of anterior teeth, respectively. Significant correlations between dental caries formation and maternal sharing, S. mutans levels, and plaque scores were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that early S. mutans colonization, high plaque accumulation, and maternal sharing were important factors on a child's caries development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey. dilsah.cogulu@ege.edu.tr
authors.forename: Dilsah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cogulu
authors.forename: Nazan Kocatas
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ersin
authors.forename: Atac
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uzel
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eronat
authors.forename: Sadik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aksit
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000502:physiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012016:Reference Values; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification*