Journal of Dentistry and Bio-Allied Health Sciences

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Related articles

VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Impact of Maternal Education Status on the Duration of Breastfeeding and Its Association with Various Oral Health Parameters

Geetika Upraity, Sahana Shivakumar, Zainab Anjum

Keywords : Breastfeeding duration, Child health, Dental caries, Malocclusions, Maternal education, Oral health

Citation Information : Upraity G, Shivakumar S, Anjum Z. Impact of Maternal Education Status on the Duration of Breastfeeding and Its Association with Various Oral Health Parameters. J Dent bio allied Health Sci 2024; 1 (2):45-48.

DOI: 10.5005/jdbahs-11017-0016

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 20-12-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as beneficial for both infant and maternal health. Maternal education significantly influences breastfeeding practices, which can, in turn, impact children's oral health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between maternal education status and the duration of breastfeeding and its association with various oral health parameters in children aged 2–5 years. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional observational design, examining 188 dyads comprising mothers and their children. A structured questionnaire was employed to gather information on maternal education, breastfeeding practices, and demographic characteristics, which was subsequently complemented by an oral health assessment of the children. Primary outcome measures included breastfeeding duration and oral health parameters, such as dental caries, oral hygiene [assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S)], and malocclusions. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, Chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression analysis to identify independent predictors of the outcomes. Results: Mothers with higher education breastfed for a significantly longer duration (mean: 11.8 ± 3.1 months) compared with those with lower education (mean: 8.4 ± 2.6 months) (p < 0.001). Children who were breastfed for 6 months or more had better oral hygiene scores (mean OHI-S: 1.5 ± 0.4) compared with those breastfed for less than 6 months (mean OHI-S: 2.1 ± 0.6) (p < 0.001). However, prolonged breastfeeding beyond 12 months was associated with an increased risk of malocclusions (χ2 = 7.45, p = 0.006). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed maternal education as a significant predictor of both breastfeeding duration (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) and oral hygiene status (β = −0.31, p = 0.002). Conclusion: This study highlights the significant role of maternal education in promoting longer breastfeeding duration and better oral health outcomes in children. However, extended nursing was associated with an increased risk of dental malocclusion. These findings highlight the importance of targeted community health programs focusing particularly on breastfeeding education and oral healthcare guidance, particularly for mothers with lower educational attainment.


PDF Share
  1. Wako WG, Wayessa Z, Fikrie A. Effects of maternal education on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa: A secondary analysis of demographic and health surveys from 2015 to 2019. BMJ Open 2022;12(3):e054302. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054302.
  2. Bengough T, Dawson S, Cheng HL, et al. Factors that influence women's engagement with breastfeeding support: A qualitative evidence synthesis. Matern Child Nutr 2022;18(4):e13405. DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13405.
  3. Tham R, Bowatte G, Dharmage SC, et al. Breastfeeding and the risk of dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatr 2015;104(467):62−84. DOI: 10.1111/apa.13118.
  4. Boronat-Catalá M, Bellot-Arcís C, Montiel-Company JM, et al. Does breastfeeding have a long-term positive effect on dental occlusion? J Clin Exp Dent 2019;11(10):e947−e951. DOI: 10.4317/jced.56312.
  5. Chinnakotla B, Susarla SM, Mohan DC, et al. Associations between maternal education and child nutrition and oral health in an indigenous population in Ecuador. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022;20(1):473. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010473.
  6. Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Lancet 2016;387(10017):475–490.
  7. Rollins NC, Bhandari N, Hajeebhoy N, et al. Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices? Lancet 2016;387(10017):491−504. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01044-2.
  8. Arora A, Foster JP, Curtis B, et al. Breastfeeding for oral health in preschool children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;2013(3):CD010416. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010416.
  9. Leong PM, Gussy MG, Barrow SY, et al. A systematic review of risk factors during first year of life for early childhood caries. Int J Paediatr Dent 2013;23(4):235−250. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2012.01260.x.
  10. Peres KG, Barros AJ, Peres MA, et al. Effects of breastfeeding and sucking habits on malocclusion in a birth cohort study. Rev Saude Publica 2007;41(3):343−350. DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102007000300004.
  11. Li R, Fein SB, Grummer-Strawn LM. Association of breastfeeding intensity and bottle-emptying behaviors at early infancy with infants’ risk for excess weight at late infancy. Pediatrics 2008;122 Suppl 2:S77–S84. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-1315j.
  12. Kramer MS, Guo T, Platt RW, et al. Infant growth and health outcomes associated with 3 infant feeding regimens. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76(6):1176−1181. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/78.2.291.
  13. Azevedo TD, Bezerra AC, de Toledo OA. Feeding habits and severe early childhood caries in Brazilian preschool children. Pediatr Dent 2005;27(1):28−33. PMID: 15839392.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.