Common Risk Factors for Asthma and Dental Caries

Objectives: Dental caries and asthma are the two most common chronic conditions affecting children in the United States. The aim of this study is to identify potential common risk factors of these two diseases. Thus, allowing for the development and implication of more specific and effective prevention and outreach programs.
Methods: A case-control study of a group of 364 infants recruited from a longitudinal study was completed. Children were classified as having either asthma, decay, or both diseases at the age of 36 months. Demographic, health history, and lifestyle factors were examined in relation to both asthma and dental caries. Multinomial regression models were utilized to assess potential risk factors at the individual and community levels for the development of caries, asthma, and both diseases.
Results: A total of 92 (25.3%) children had only decay, 62 (17.0%) had only asthma, 35 (9.6%) had both caries and asthma, and 175 (48.1%) children had neither disease. The common risk factors for both asthma and caries include having a low social-economic status, utilizing a feeding plan other than exclusive breastfeeding, and residing in an area determined to be a dental health professional shortage area. Additionally, a low one-minute Apgar score is also predictive for reduced odds of having both diseases.
Conclusions: It is essential to target low income communities with prevention and outreach programs to reduce the prevalence of dental caries and to promote better control among asthmatics. It is also important to promote breastfeeding as the preferred feeding plan to aid in the prevention of dental caries and asthma.