The type and duration of breastfeeding can be key factors in the development of early childhood caries (ECC). The association between nighttime feeding and ECC was investigated. Specifically, whether cosleeping is a potential mediator of children’s oral health was investigated, considering many of the etiological factors of caries. In this cross-sectional study, 212 children (aged 2–4 years) from Madrid (Spain) who breastfed at night were examined to assess the mean decayed/filled primary teeth (dft) index, and a questionnaire was administered to the mothers to collect data on the practice of breastfeeding and cosleeping and its duration, the number of nighttime feeding sessions, sugar content in the diet, dental hygiene habits, and age at first dental visit. The dft index was lower in the group that breastfed for less than 18 months (p = 0.02). In addition, there were significant differences in the dft index in the group breastfeeding for more than 18 months between those who coslept for 18 months or more and those who coslept for less than 18 months (p < 0.05), as well as between those who coslept for 18 months or more and those who did not cosleep (p < 0.01). In conclusion, breastfeeding at night from 18 months onwards is considered a risk factor for ECC.

Objective: This review analyzes the psychological variables most frequently studied over the last 10 years in children and adolescents with cleft lip/palate (CL/P). Such variables are assumed to be the keys to these patients' psychosocial adjustment. Study design: Articles published from January 2007 to February 2017 were retrieved from PubMed to identify the psychological variables most commonly studied in children and adolescents with CL/P, irrespective of gender or type of cleft. The search terms were “cleft palate” and “psychology”, with the operator AND. Results: Of the 324 articles retrieved, 26 met the criteria for inclusion in the review. The psychological variables most extensively studied over the years were children's social functioning, quality of life and ability to cope. Conclusion: While CL/P patients' quality of life was unanimously agreed to be affected, no consensus was found in the literature on social functioning or coping. In addition to the cleft, patient adjustment was reported to be governed by individual variables and mediators. The range of ages most frequently studied was 7 to 16.

The type of parenting style influences the way children cope with problems and can create states of anxiety that can even alter their eating habits, which can cause problems in their oral health. The present study aimed to find out which parenting style is more favorable for the oral health of their children. In this cross-sectional study, 186 children (aged 8–15 years) were examined to assess the mean Decayed/Missing/Filled teeth (DMFT + dmft) index, and they were asked to complete the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Parenting Style Scale, and questions about their oral hygiene habits. On the other hand, their parents answered the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire and the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Results showed that a worse oral health status was associated with a higher state of anxiety, more overeating, more emotional eating, and higher psychological control. A higher rate of missing teeth was associated with increased undereating and overeating. Emotional eating was positively related to psychological control. State of anxiety, overeating, and parental psychological control predicted 24.6% of DMFT + dmft. In addition, emotional eating had a moderating effect in DMFT + dfmt only in those with low levels of affection and communication. In conclusion, high psychological control and low levels of parental affection and communication will increase the state of anxiety in children, influencing their caries rate.

Objectives: To analyze personality (Big Five Model) and cognitive–emotional variables in children and adolescents with a cleft lip/palate (s) in comparison to an equivalent peer sample without an orofacial cleft. Design: Cross-sectional study with data collected using self-reported questionnaires over 2 years. Setting: Data were collected during visits to health center dental clinics. Patients: Children and adolescents (aged 8-18 years) with nonsyndromic CL/P (n = 60) and without a cleft (n = 60). Method: Patients completed questionnaires with assistance as needed from a member of the research team. Main Outcome Measures: Children’s Perceived Self-Efficacy, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (child version), Big Five Questionnaire for Children, and Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children. Results: When accounting for age, children with CL/P had normative self-efficacy and cognitive–emotional regulation strategies, with the protective factor of significantly lower rumination than peers. Children with CL/P were significantly lower on the Big Five personality areas of conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, and agreeableness along with significantly higher neuroticism. They were similarly significantly higher than peers for alexithymia. Conclusion: Children with CL/P showed strengths in self-efficacy typical of peers and less use of some maladaptive coping strategies; however, they also had higher levels of alexithymia and risk factors associated with the Big Five Model of personality. Strategies may be clinically useful that maximize areas of strength to support children with CL/P in expressing their emotions to reduce alexithymia, coping with of negative affect, and building assertiveness.

Dental caries are a public health problem that is influenced by dietary habits. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the feeding and hygiene habits that divorced parents exercise over their children compared to non-divorced parents, and how this may influence the rate of caries in their children. The data of participants (n = 174) with an average age of 12.17 ± 2.04 years were examined to assess the mean decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index, and they were asked questions about their oral hygiene habits. At the same time, their parents answered the parental feeding style questionnaire. A moderation analysis was conducted with family control of oral hygiene habit levels as an independent variable, decayed teeth as a dependent variable, and feeding control as a moderating variable. Results showed that divorced parents were found to have more problems in controlling their children’s hygiene and dietary habits, have less control over their children’s feeding, and make more use of instrumental feeding, which led to children of divorced parents having more caries. Despite the limitations linked to the cross-sectional design of the study and considering both the convenience sample and the impossibility of controlling for all aetiological factors linked to the development of caries, it can be concluded that children of divorced parents have an increased risk of tooth decay. However, parental controlled feeding interferes with the effect of family controlled oral hygiene habits on the decayed tooth, decreasing the rate of caries.

Background: It can be affirmed that the parenting style of parents has an impact on the health-related behaviors of their children; the environment that parents create for their children can have an impact on both their habits and their oral health, and on the incidence of dental caries in children. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between parenting style and childhood dental caries. Methods: Two researchers independently searched the English literature published up to May 2024 in four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus y Cochrane Library). The risk of bias was evaluated using the Modified Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). This study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024573447). Results: Of the 130 studies identified, nine of them, with a total of 4250 participants, met our inclusion criteria. The evidence on the relationship between parenting styles and dental caries is varied. Of the studies reviewed, three showed a significant association between both factors, while four found no correlation, and two reported no significant differences in relation to parenting styles and the occurrence of dental caries. Conclusions: This discrepancy emphasizes the need for further research. Parenting styles impact child dental behavior on a global level, highlighting the relevance of recognizing these approaches in a dental context, given that parents have a fundamental role in guiding their children’s behaviors.