Early Childhood Caries and Oral Hygiene Practices in Preschool Children in Dubai: A Cross-sectional Study

Plaque accumulation also contributes to gingival inflammation, commonly observed in plaque-induced gingivitis.This condition affects both the free and attached gingiva and is reversible with proper oral hygiene. 10arly childhood caries can lead to pain, discomfort, and nutritional deficiencies, ultimately affecting a child's overall well-being and quality of life. 11o mitigate ECC and maintain gingival health, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends twice-daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste under parental supervision until the child develops adequate manual dexterity, typically IntroductIonEarly childhood caries (ECC) is among the most prevalent oral health challenges affecting preschool-aged children worldwide. 1Despite advancements in dental care accessibility, ECC continues to pose a significant public health concern, particularly in the Middle East.In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the prevalence of ECC among children aged 4-5 years ranges from 74.1% to 83%, with decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) scores reported between 3.07 and 10.9, even though free dental services are available to citizens. [2][3]][4] Dental caries is a multifactorial disease characterized by an imbalance between enamel demineralization and remineralization.ECC is defined as the presence of one or more decayed (noncavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child younger than 72 months. 5"Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is further classified as: (1) any sign of smooth-surface caries in a child younger than 3 years; (2) for children aged 3-5 years, one or more cavitated, missing (due to caries), or filled smooth surfaces in primary maxillary anterior teeth; or (3) a dmft score of ≥4 (age 3), ≥5 (age 4), or ≥6 (age 5). 5 " Dietary habits, particularly frequent sugar intake, play a critical role in shaping the composition of dental plaque-a biofilm primarily composed of bacteria that adheres to tooth surfaces. 6Cariogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans metabolize sugars to produce acids, which initiate enamel demineralization. 7,8The earliest clinical manifestation of this process is a chalky white lesion, which may progress to cavitation with continued acid exposure.