Does Earlier Eruption of Teeth Predict ECC? – A Multi-site Study

Objectives: Early childhood caries (ECC) is an important public health problem. While several risk factors for ECC have been established, an additional factor – early tooth eruption – may also be associated with ECC due to longer exposure to cariogenic factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the number of teeth present at 12 months with the sum of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs) at 48 months.

Methods: The data are from a longitudinal, multi-site study of caries risk that was conducted at the University of Iowa, Indiana University and Duke University. Children were enrolled in the study at 12 months of age and examined for dental caries using ICDAS criteria. Anterior teeth were considered present if an estimated 50% of the crown was visible; posterior teeth were considered present if all of the occlusal table was visible. Subsequent examinations were conducted at ages 30 and 48 months. Spearman correlation, and chi-square tests were used to assess the relationship between the number of teeth present at 12 months with dmfs at 48 months.

Results: A total of 1,325 children were successfully examined at 12 months of age, and by 48 months of age, 978 children remained in the study and were examined. Spearman correlation analyses found a weak level of correlation (R= +0.085), that was statistically significant (p=0.008). Mantel-Haenszel chi-square analyses of categories of teeth present (0, 1-4, 5-8, and 9+) at 12 months and 5 categories (0, 1-2, 3-5, 6-15 and 16+) of dmfs at 48 months, revealed a non-significant relationship (p=0.102).
Conclusions: Results suggest that there is a weak, positive relationship between number of teeth at an early age and subsequent caries development. Thus, early tooth eruption may not be a significant risk factor for ECC.