childhood tooth decay

A recent study has revealed a significant association between high birth weight and the risk of early childhood tooth decay (ECC) (Wang, H., Zhang, H., Zeng, X. et al. Association between high birth weight and dental caries at 4–5 years of age: a birth-cohort study. BMC Oral Health 24, 896 2024). Researchers from the Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology in China analyzed data from 491 children aged 4 to 5 years old and found that children born weighing 4,000 grams (8.8 pounds) or more were more likely to develop ECC compared to those with normal birth weight. ECC is when there is a presence of one or more decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child less than 71 months old. The study was designed as a retrospective longitudinal register-based cohort study that included pregnant women in … Read more