Early Childhood Feeding Practices and Dental Caries in Australian Pre-Schoolers

Abstract

This research investigated the associations between breastfeeding practices and early childhood caries in a birth cohort of Australian pre-schoolers. To achieve this, new dietary assessment methods were developed, including an early childhood Food Frequency Questionnaire. In this cohort, neither the duration of breastfeeding, nor breastfeeding at night were associated with tooth decay, but high free sugars intake and low socio-economic position were identified as the key risk factors.