Parental Nutrition Literacy and Its Association With Early Childhood Caries Among Children Aged 3-6 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Dietary practices, oral hygiene, and parental behavior have an impact on early childhood caries (ECC), a common chronic illness in preschoolers. Children's oral health outcomes are significantly influenced by the nutrition literacy and oral health knowledge of their parents.

AIM AND

OBJECTIVES

To assess parental nutrition literacy, including knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and its association with early childhood caries (ECC) among children aged 3-6 years.

METHODS

Three hundred fifty parent-child pairs were included in a cross-sectional study. A standardized questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic, nutritional, and oral health practices, attitudes, and knowledge. Chi-squared tests were used to examine group differences; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Compared with parents of children with ECC, parents of caries-free children showed significantly greater knowledge, preventive attitudes, and protective behaviors. The control group had significantly better maternal nutrition awareness (p = 0.001), accurate comprehension of the sugar caries link (p < 0.001), breastfeeding practices (p < 0.001), and twice daily brushing encouragement (p < 0.001). The ECC group continued to exhibit poor feeding practices, nocturnal sugar exposure, delayed initiation of oral hygiene, and irregular fluoride use, despite widespread awareness of the risks associated with sugar. Cultural norms, maternal education, and sociodemographic characteristics all influenced parental behavior.

CONCLUSION

Oral hygiene habits and parental nutrition literacy are significant, modifiable predictors of ECC. To lower the prevalence of ECC and encourage the best possible oral health in preschoolers, targeted, culturally sensitive interventions, early behavioral guidance, and organized parental involvement are crucial.