Introduction: Severe early childhood caries is the presence of smooth-surface caries in children younger than three years of age. This rampant form of dental caries exerts a negative impact on the quality of life of both the child and the family .The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) among 2-3 year-old children in Rasht.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective, case control study was carried out on 267, 2-3 year-old-children, who were divided into two groups. The study group (cases) included 89 children who were diagnosed with S-ECC. The cases were com‌pared with the control group including 178 child‌ren who were caries free. The mothers of children in two groups were asked to fill in a checklist con‌taining the demographic data, dietary, sleep and oral hygiene habits of the children. Data were statistically analyzed using χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: Statistical Significant variables associated with S-ECC were breast or bottle feeding to assist with falling asleep at night (P = 0.001), number of nights the child sleep through the night (P< 0.0001), on demand feeding (P < 0.0001), late start of brushing (P = 0.007), frequency of giving sugary snacks (P = 0.016) and the use of a bottle to drink sweetened liquids (P <0.0001). There was no significant relationship between S-ECC and the method, duration of feeding and educa‌tional level of parents.
Conclusion: Breast or bottle feeding to assist with falling asleep at night, number of nights the child sleep through the night, on demand feeding , late start of tooth brushing, frequency of giving su‌gary snacks and the use of a bottle to drink swee‌tened liquids were identified as risk factors for the development of dental caries in young child‌ren.