SANTOS, Susana Paim dos; VIEIRA, Graciete Oliveira; SCAVUZZI, Ana Isabel Fonseca    GOMES FILHO, Isaac Suzart. Feeding practices and dental caries - approach on early childhood. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. []. 2016, 70, 1, pp. 12-18. ISSN 0004-5276.

A decrease of dental caries occurrence has been observed on the last years. However, its prevalence is still high among younger children around the world. The main biological and behavior factors related to this process are the existence of cariogenic biofilms and frequent ingestion of fermentable carbohydrates. Inadequate feeding habits, especially in the first year after birth, associated to high use of sugars, sweet drinks, breastfeeding under spontaneous demand after 12 months of age, nighty feeding habits and absence of periodic biofilm control configure important risk factors for caries occurrence. This study consists on a literature review about the correlation between feeding habits and dental caries prevalence focused on feeding routines initiated and established immediately after birth and its influence on primary childhood experience of dental caries. The research strategy involved oral health describers related to feeding habits during breastfeeding and dental caries prevalence during childhood, under databases of PUBMED, LILACS and COCHRANE. The known of feeding habits hole on caries control during the first stages of life can help dentists to adopt effective means to prevent and control dental caries prevalence in children.

: food habits; child; breastfeeding; dental caries; longitudinal studies; caries; risk factors..