Does parental feeding style affect tooth decay in preschool children?

Background: Diet is a key risk factor in the development of dental caries, and parents’ nutritional attitudes can shape children’s eating behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the association between parental eating behaviors, feeding styles, and dental caries in preschool children. Methods: The study included 376 children aged 3–6 years. Participants were classified into four groups according to their maximum Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) score: healthy/pre-morbidity (scores 0–3), morbidity (scores 4–5), severe morbidity (scores 6–7), and mortality (score 8). Parents completed the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ). Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Family Affluence Scale. Results: Higher CAST scores were significantly associated with lower socioeconomic status and parental education levels (p < 0.001). The proportion of children in the mortality stage increased with more frequent junk food consumption (p < 0.001). Significant differences across dental caries stages were observed in the CEBQ subscales of Desire to Drink (p = 0.002), Slow Eating (p = 0.001), Emotional Undereating (p = 0.008), and Food Fussiness (p = 0.001). Comparisons between morbidity stages showed statistically significant differences in instrumental (p = 0.005) and emotional feeding styles (p = 0.003), with the highest values observed in the mortality group. Linear regression analysis evaluating the effects of CEBQ and PFSQ subscales on the maximum CAST score demonstrated a statistically significant model (F = 7.437; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children’s eating behaviors and parental feeding styles appear to influence both the presence and severity of dental caries during the preschool period. Evaluation of dietary behaviors may enhance understanding of the multifactorial etiology of dental caries and support the promotion of healthy eating habits in early childhood.

Dental caries; Children’s eating behavior; Parental feeding style; Caries assessment spectrum and treatment; Family affluence scale

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