The dental health of children is at risk with mothers suffering from postpartum depression. A mother's mental well-being definitely playing a role in a child's toothbrushing habits.
JAPAN: According to the study conducted by the researchers of Tohoku University, a mother's mental well-being might play a crucial role in a child's toothbrushing habits.
It has been no secret that brushing your teeth twice a day is highly effective in promoting healthy teeth and gums. The International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) has emphasised brushing with fluoride-containing toothpaste to prevent children's decayed, missing, or filled teeth or childhood dental caries (ECC).
In Japan, there was a worryingly high prevalence of ECC among children aged three years old. Postpartum depression and lack of affection caused by bonding disorders hamper a mother's ability to cultivate healthy dental practices in children, and researchers were keen to explore this link.
Dr Shinobu Tsuchiya from Tohoku University Hospital led a research group that analysed several mother-infant pairs from the Ministry of Environment's Japan Environment and Children's Study.
They found that the children, having mothers suffering from postpartum depression or bonding disorders, brushed their teeth less frequently. However, it increased when mothers showed strong affection towards their children.
Tsuchiya said that a mother's psychological well-being provided valuable screening information for identifying children at a high risk of ECC. Her research group hoped their research would foster greater mental support and management for mothers and that doctors would incorporate these factors when assessing children's oral health.
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