Wiedza stomatologiczna kobiet ciężarnych oraz młodych matek

Although levels of dental disease have been decreasing over the past five decades, early childhood caries is a serious problem in our country. Just 44% of 3-year-old children is caries free. There is a good evidenced that oral condition of pregnant woman and young mother influence not only her own health but also child's general and oral health. The main source from which infants acquire the cariogenic bacteria are their mothers as they are mostly the primary caregivers. Primary colonization by streptococcus mutans bacteria coupled with caries-promoting feeding behaviors results in great accumulation of these microorganisms in dental plaque and acids formation as a result of dietary sugars metabolism, which leads to rapid demineralization of hard dental tissues. Children whose teeth are colonized earlier by cariogenic bacteria reveal higher caries experience than those colonized later. Primary prevention is based on interruption of infection transmission ways and implementation of cariostatic feeding behaviors coupled with hygiene procedures performed in child's oral cavity. That's why we would like to present easy steps to promote and prevent oral health in very young children.