Associations between the use of caries preventive methods and ECC experience in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Limited access to preventive dental care increases the risk for Early Childhood Caries (ECC). This study assessed the associations between dental caries preventive practices and the experience of ECC in children aged 0–5 years in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional household survey conducted between December 2024 and January 2025 was done. The primary study collected data to assess the prevalence of ECC and associated sociodemographic, behavioural, and dietary risk factors. Variables for the current study were ECC experience (dmft index), preventive practices (fluoridated toothpaste use, tooth brushing frequency, refined carbohydrates consumption), and confounders (age, sex, socioeconomic status). Seven logistic regression models were employed to assess the independent and combined effects of dental caries-preventive behaviours on ECC experience, adjusted for confounders (age, sex, socioeconomic status). Of the 1,187 children whose data were extracted, 871 (73.4%) used the combination of fluoridated toothpaste and brushed their teeth twice daily or more, and 127 (10.7%) consumed refined carbohydrate less than three times a day. Frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates (≥ 3 times/day) significantly increased ECC experience (AOR: 2.00; p = 0.004) and so did combining twice-daily brushing with low consumption of refined carbohydrates (< 3 times/day) reduced ECC risk (AOR: 2.02; p = 0.041). Neither the use of fluoridated toothpaste alone nor the combined use of all three preventive measures (fluoride toothpaste, twice-daily brushing, and limited refined carbohydrate consumption) showed statistically significant associations with ECC experience. Dietary sugar control and twice-daily tooth brushing are key to reducing ECC. The non-significant associations of the use of fluoridated toothpaste alone and the combined use of the three preventive measures with ECC experience warrant further investigation. Public health efforts should prioritize limiting the consumption of refined carbohydrates and promoting regular tooth brushing, especially in communities with high-risk for ECC.