The aim of this study was to investigate the relationshi p between the age of the mother to the prevalence of dental caries of first-born children participating in a health care program in Ishii-cho, Tokushima, Japan. A total of 2,067 pairs of mother and child participated in this study and the children were examined at ages one year-six months, two years-six months, three years-six months and five years of age.
The mother and child pairs were sorted into four groups according to the age of the mother at the time of the birth of the first-born children (G 1: 22 years and below, G 2: 23-28 years, G 3: 29-34 years, G 4: 35 years and over)
The following results were obtained:
1) At one year six months children in G 4 had the highest caries prevalence and mean df score.
2) At two years-six months children in G 1 had the highest caries prevalence and mean df score.
3) At three years-six months children in G 1 had the highest caries prevalence and mean df score.
4) At five years children in G 3 had the lowest caries prevalence and mean df score.
5) At one year-six months the percentage of children that had not been weaned was highest in G 1and G 4, and that was lowest in G 3.
6) At one year-six months the percentage of children who were bottle-feeding while sleeping was highest in G 2 and G 4, and that was lowest in G 3.
7) At all ages, the number of mothers who brush their children's teeth daily was lower in G 1. Daily brushing of the teeth of the children by the mothers was highest at age two years-six months but was lowest at five years in G 4.
Findings of this study suggest that age of the mother is a risk factor in the development of dental caries among first-born children.