Behavioural patterns of children as risk factors of oral hygiene and dental caries- A short study

Introduction

Oral health is an important aspect affecting general health and quality of life. As dental caries is among the most prevalent diseases worldwide, one is always at risk of it. In addition to prevention strategies at each life stage, determining the modifiable factors that influence the oral health status at an early age is important for maintaining good oral health throughout life. ^[1]

Toothbrushing less than twice daily and sugar snacking between meals have been identified as key behavioral factors explaining the presence of dental caries in children. ^[2], ^[3] Children are more likely to be caries free if their teeth are brushed from an early age, twice daily with fluoride toothpaste in an environment in which the frequency of sugar intake is controlled. ^[4], ^[5], ^[6]

Unhealthy lifestyles, such as sleep deprivation, unbalanced food preferences and longer screen time, have already been reported in literature. ^[7], ^[8]

An individual caries risk assessment is important in order to target prevention resources for children who need it the most. Aspects of a child’s behavioural type may be important parameters to be considered in caries risk assessment as well as for planning dental treatment. ^[9]

Behaviour of an individual can be defined as a mix of responses to external and internal stimuli. It is the way in which a person reacts in different situations and the way someone expresses different emotions like anger, happiness, love, etc. ^[10]

Child behaviour may pose a challenge in the maintenance of oral hygiene. Behaviors adopted by children can make a negative or positive contribution to health. Children have their own basic nature and this behaviour variability may influence their understanding and acceptability towards maintenance of oral hygiene. Some children may not follow the proper oral hygiene regimes due to different behaviour which can drastically affect their oral status. Thus, the behaviour of child can act as an obstacle in maintaining oral hygiene.

Dental caries has a multifactorial etiology, which has been studied in depth and it is recognized that social and behavioral factors play a significant role in caries development. ^[11]

The association between dental caries, parenting style, child’s dental behavior, oral hygiene, diet, socio-economic status have been studied in detail. However, the impact of child behaviour with their oral hygiene status as risk factor remains unexplored. The authors, therefore, planned this study to evaluate the association between child’s behaviour to oral hygiene and dental caries.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional study to assess child behaviour and its correlation with dental caries and oral hygiene status of school going children in educational setup of Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Institute of Dental Studies and Technologies, Modinagar.

The study design and protocol was analyzed and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Participants were recruited from different socioeconomic areas and their collection was established on simple random sampling.

A convenient sample composed of 100 children of both genders aged 6-11 years accompanied with parents visiting the department of pediatric dentistry formed the study subjects. Subjects qualified for participation in the study were to be systemically healthy and mentally sound.

The study population comprised of only those children where the parents experienced the child was not totally obedient in his/her behavioural conduct.

Results

The study was carried out on a total of 100 children eligible for inclusion and consisted of 100 participants of both the genders aged 6-11 years. The mean age of the study population was 8.28+2.63 years.([Table 2])

The behaviour types most commonly seen in the studied sample were spoil and whinning children. Also, majority of the studied children were lying and stubborn.([Table 3])

A statistically significant correlation was seen between child behaviour type and dental caries (deft). Children with arrogant behaviour had the highest dental caries however had fair oral hygiene. Dental caries was also high for children with temper tantrums (hysterical). Poor oral hygiene was seen in most of the children who were spoiled followed by whining and defiant child. ([Table 4]).

Discussion

The present study revealed that child behaviour can affect their oral hygiene and caries status. As the children may not follow parent commands properly at this age, child’s behavioural attitude can cause inequalities in maintaining proper oral hygiene and can act as a risk factor in increasing chances of dental caries and other oral health related issues.

The present study enrolled children aged between 6-11 years. This age group is crucial since during mixed dentition phase, new hard surfaces are added to the oral cavity and are available for bacterial colonization. This is in accordance with the Jean Piaget theory which states that during this age, the child corresponds to cognitive development and forms a semi- logical reasoning. Also, child at this age is mature enough to show positive compliance. Another factor for this age selection was that it coincides with window of infectivity as suggested by Caufield et al (1993). ^[12]

There are certain variety of behavioural patterns normally seen in a child. They can be of prime importance in maintaining oral hygiene status.

Psychological parameters are implicated in various disease processes. Manhold and Rosenberg evaluated the correlation between dental disorders and psychological factors. They stated that personality is one of the psychological factors which appear to affect the oral health. ^[13], ^[14] Frencken JE et al found that there is variation in oral health status of people with specific personality behavior. ^[15]

Personality traits reproduce the behavior of a person, thereby delivering evidence to the psychosomatic origin of diseases.^[16] Dental caries has multifactorial etiology which includes some modifiable and some non modifiable risk factors.

It is widely known that parental attitude play an important role in shaping children's oral health. ^[1] However, as children grow, they may not listen to their parents. In this regard, oral hygiene status solely relies on child’s behaviour and attitude. The present study observed children which were Misleading, Defiant, Spoiled, Arrogant, Whining, Hysterical and Stubborn. A significant association between child’s normal characteristic behaviour and dental caries was found. Also, relation with these was established with oral hygiene.

The elevated caries risk among children with different behaviour types can to some extent be explained by their behavioural characteristics. Children with temper tantrum or conduct problem behaviour may have difficulties in performing routine activities such as oral rinsing and tooth brushing. Good oral hygiene requires persistence, patience and routine which can be difficult for these children.

Our study reported that the children with temper tantrums (hysterical) may have multiple teeth with dental caries but at the same time can have proper oral hygiene. The reason for this can be change in dietary pattern. These children may throw tantrums regarding choice of food to be eaten, consuming diet which is more sugary and less fibrous. As dental caries is multifactorial, the child may have less plaque but more consumption of sticky food can lead to dental caries.

The results of study by Aminabadi et al, also showed that children with poor temperament had high ECC. ^[17]

In a study done by Jabin Z, and Chaudhary S regarding the association of Child Temperament with Early Childhood Caries, they found that children with temper tantrums had low adaptability and low adjustability and showed dental caries. They further stated that such children’s attitude towards the preventive and dietary measures is difficult to modify which render more susceptible for developing carious lesions. ^[18]

In the present study, stubborn children showed poor oral hygiene. This could be attributed to fact that a stubborn child may overlook parent’s instructions that may lead to improper maintainance of oral hygiene.

The present study showed increased levels of dental plaque and caries. The significance of this result may be related to that fact that spoilt children are pampered to an extensive level by the parents. Their wishes are fulfilled by the parents and they often get what they ask for. This leads to the children having food related problems such as eating when not actually needed or eating sugar or unhealthy food leading to poor oral hygiene and subsequently dental caries via a direct correlation and through a nonsignificant indirect path via toothbrushing frequency.

This is in accordance with a study by de Jong-Lenters et al where they used model to assess the association between externalizing behaviour problems and dental caries in children and concluded that preventing dental caries is more challenging in children with externalizing problem behaviour and there is a correlation between behaviour problems and caries. ^[19]

In the present study, arrogant children showed highest level of dental caries index and low levels of oral hygiene index. Children with lying or misleading behaviour showed more levels of dental plaque but their caries score was less in comparison to other children. Children who had whinning behaviour and defiant behaviour (who ignore things) showed few dental caries and fair oral hygiene.

A study by Quinonez R et al showed that shyness and duration of feeding habit together were associated with ECC. ^[20]

There is abundant literature available on association of child temperament and dental caries as well as childhood externalizing and internalizing behaviour. Yet it lacks evidence regarding other behaviour types seen in day to day life as a child reflects during growing years. Our study tried to overcome this scarcity by including various common behaviour types. The findings of the present study are of prime importance for the future oral health of the child.

The oral health behaviours reported in this study may not have been an accurate reflection of actual behaviours because parents could have given socially desirable responses and behaviours were measured at a single point in time, and they can change over the years. Conceptually, behaviour type may play an important role in explaining the relationship between oral heath status and dental caries. For example, parents may find it more difficult to maintain healthy behaviours if the child shows resistance towards the rules and structures provided by their parents. Communication may also be more challenging in children with different behaviour patterns. Therefore, creating positive routines, and setting boundaries would be beneficial.

Conclusion

Oral health status has a multifactorial etiology with child behaviour as an influential factor. Especially in young children, it may directly or indirectly influence caries risk and oral hygiene.

Efforts to identify behaviour type of children and prevent caries are of great value for the child, the parents, and society. It is essential that dental care is early in these children by noting a child’s behavioural characteristics during a dental examination and to have an extended history when behaviour is not age appropriate.

The present study found out an association between child behaviour and their oral health status. It emphasizes how children with different normal behaviour type present with variation in maintaining oral hygiene status leading to poor oral hygiene and dental caries.

In the initial phase, identifying children with these behavioural problems in day to day life and working upon it, will reduce the chances towards in initiation of many dental problems in the long run.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.