Japan: Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Children's Toothbrushing Frequency

Children with mothers suffering from mental disorders such as postpartum depression or bonding disorders have lower toothbrushing frequency, finds recent research.

The study findings, published in the journal Community Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology, are significant for the purpose of preventing childhood dental caries (ECC). The findings imply that a mother's mental health may play a larger role in a child's toothbrushing habits than previously thought.

It is no secret that brushing your teeth twice a day is highly effective in promoting healthy teeth and gums. The International Association of Pediatric Dentistry advocates brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride to prevent decayed, missing, or filled teeth - known as childhood dental caries (ECC) - in children.

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Parents are instrumental in instilling good dental habits in their children. In Japan, there is a worryingly high prevalence of ECC among children aged 3 years old. Postpartum depression and/or 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 analyzed approximately 80,000 mother-infant pairs from the Ministry of Environment's Japan Environment and Children's Study. They found children with mothers suffering from postpartum depression or bonding disorders brushed their teeth less often. Likewise, the frequency with which children brushed their teeth increased when mothers showed strong affection towards their children.

The research group hopes their research will foster greater mental support and management for mothers and that doctors will incorporate these factors when assessing children's oral health. In future studies, Tsuchiya and her team hope to examine other environmental influences on poor oral health.

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Reference:

The study, "Influence of maternal postpartum depression on children's toothbrushing frequency," is published in the journal Community Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology.

DOI: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cdoe.12672