Understanding Feeding Habits, Brushing Behaviors, and Toothpaste Use in Children Up to 3 Years of Age and Their Correlation with Parental Cognizance: A Cross-sectional Study in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan
Abstract
Background: Dental caries in infants and young children is prevalent worldwide; its magnitude and associated factors vary between communities because of cultural and socioeconomic differences. Brushing behavior affects dental caries prevalence in children. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe toothbrushing frequency/duration and fluoridated/nonfluorinated toothpaste use among young children and its relation with decayed, missing, filled teeth and decayed, missing, filled surfaces score in an urban population in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Methodology: Caregivers of children up to 3 years age were selected for the study. Caregivers completed a 35-item questionnaire in English about predictors/covariates (demographics, child/caregiver oral health, access to dental care) and primary outcomes (child toothbrushing behaviors, frequency, and toothpaste use). As a secondary outcome, we explored associations between dental caries and brushing behaviors. Results: A total of 141 caregivers completed the survey. It was observed that majority (42.6%) of children brushed infrequently while twice daily brushing was reported in only 7.8%. Prevalent duration of brushing was 30–60 s (41.9%) and 66.7% reported using a fluoridated toothpaste. Duration of brushing, duration of breast feeding and nocturnal breastfeeding showed a strong statistical correlation with development of dental caries. Duration of brushing (P = 0.03), breastfeeding >1 year (P = 0.003), and nocturnal breastfeeding ≥3 times/night (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with higher caries scores. Older age and frequent consumption of sugary foods at age 1–2 years were associated with higher odds of developing dental caries. Conclusion: Access to dental care, parental involvement, and parental oral health were associated with favorable child toothbrushing behaviors.
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BibTeX
@article{juneja2026understanding,
title = {{Understanding Feeding Habits, Brushing Behaviors, and Toothpaste Use in Children Up to 3 Years of Age and Their Correlation with Parental Cognizance: A Cross-sectional Study in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan}},
author = {Suruchi Juneja and Aditi De and Meena Jain and G. Gururaj},
journal = {Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_159_24},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_159_24},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Understanding Feeding Habits, Brushing Behaviors, and Toothpaste Use in Children Up to 3 Years of Age and Their Correlation with Parental Cognizance: A Cross-sectional Study in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan
AU - Suruchi Juneja
AU - Aditi De
AU - Meena Jain
AU - G. Gururaj
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
DO - 10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_159_24
UR - https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_159_24
AB - Background: Dental caries in infants and young children is prevalent worldwide; its magnitude and associated factors vary between communities because of cultural and socioeconomic differences. Brushing behavior affects dental caries prevalence in children. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe toothbrushing frequency/duration and fluoridated/nonfluorinated toothpaste use among young children and its relation with decayed, missing, filled teeth and decayed, missing, filled surfaces score in an urban population in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Methodology: Caregivers of children up to 3 years age were selected for the study. Caregivers completed a 35-item questionnaire in English about predictors/covariates (demographics, child/caregiver oral health, access to dental care) and primary outcomes (child toothbrushing behaviors, frequency, and toothpaste use). As a secondary outcome, we explored associations between dental caries and brushing behaviors. Results: A total of 141 caregivers completed the survey. It was observed that majority (42.6%) of children brushed infrequently while twice daily brushing was reported in only 7.8%. Prevalent duration of brushing was 30–60 s (41.9%) and 66.7% reported using a fluoridated toothpaste. Duration of brushing, duration of breast feeding and nocturnal breastfeeding showed a strong statistical correlation with development of dental caries. Duration of brushing (P = 0.03), breastfeeding >1 year (P = 0.003), and nocturnal breastfeeding ≥3 times/night (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with higher caries scores. Older age and frequent consumption of sugary foods at age 1–2 years were associated with higher odds of developing dental caries. Conclusion: Access to dental care, parental involvement, and parental oral health were associated with favorable child toothbrushing behaviors.
SN - 2319-5932
SN - 2350-0484
ER -