A healthy homey environment is essential for healthy teeth.
A mother's emotional health and educational qualifications during the early stages of a child's growth can determine the oral health of their children later, a new study reveals.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University initiated to examine the factors that influenced the oral health of teens and found the problem lying with the caregivers.
Suchitra Nelson and colleagues included 224 adolescents for their analysis. Medical and health information on the participants were collected from various sources. Details of decayed, filled and missing permanent teeth (at age three, eight, and 14) were noted down. Apart from that, they also checked dental plaque, an indication of poor oral hygiene.
Mothers filled a questionnaire about the dental history of their children like sealants, use of mouthwashes, sugary juice and soft drink consumption.
At the end of the study, investigators found mothers' overall emotional health, education level and knowledge during the early stages (three and eight years) playing a major role in determining the oral health of their children by age 14.
A problem with any of these areas was found negatively affecting the children's teeth.
"We can't ignore the environments of these children," Nelson said, in a statement. "It isn't enough to tell children to brush and floss, they need more-and particularly from their caregivers."
Moms who were educated beyond high school, having knowledge about healthy eating and emotionally healthy were found to have children with healthier teeth. To make their children healthy, first the mothers should take care of themselves and build up a happy environment.
"We cannot ignore these environmental influences and need interventions to help some moms get on track early in their children's lives," Nelson said. "How can a mother help her child if she passes out. It's all common sense, but some mothers may need help."
Results of the study have been published in the Journal of Dental Research.
