Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Teething among the Mothers of Children Aged 6 Months to 3 Years – A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study

Background: The appearance of the first tooth in a child’s mouth is considered a major developmental milestone. The entire process typically takes about two and a half to 3 years. The signs and symptoms caused due to teething can be challenging and distressing for both the child and their parents. Studies highlight that many parents lack sufficient knowledge, have misguided attitudes, and follow ineffective practices when it comes to teething. Literature search found that there are no studies done in this regard in Belagavi city, Karnataka, India. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding teething among mothers of children aged 6 months to 3 years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 200 mothers who met the inclusion criteria. Results: The mothers with higher socioeconomic status and higher education had better knowledge regarding teething compared to mothers with lower socioeconomic status and less education, which was significant ( P < 0.05). However, when considering the age and demographic location of the mothers, it was statistically insignificant. Regarding attitude and practices, the study showed that there was no statistical significance seen with respect to the age, demographic location, education, or socioeconomic status of the mothers. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need to educate mothers of infants before the eruption of the first tooth in the infant’s oral cavity to inculcate good knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the teething process.