Prenatal Maternal Factors, Intergenerational Transmission of Disease, and Child Oral Health Outcomes

Dent Clin North Am. 2017 Jul;61(3):483-518. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2017.02.001.

Abstract

This article reviews maternal prenatal risk factors for caries in children and intergenerational transmission of caries, emphasizing early interventions for pregnant women and mother-infant pairs. A growing body of evidence focuses on maternal interventions. Studies suggest that early prenatal clinical and educational interventions are effective at reducing mother-child mutans streptococci (MS) transmission and delaying colonization and caries in young children. Dental screenings and anticipatory guidance about maternal and infant oral health should be included in prenatal care and pediatric well visits. Dental care during pregnancy is safe and recommended and can reduce maternal MS levels. Infants should visit a dentist by age 1.

Keywords: Bacteria transmission; Early childhood caries/dental caries; Pregnancy; Prenatal/perinatal interventions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dental Care for Children*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Care / methods*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Oral Health*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Streptococcal Infections / transmission
  • Streptococcus mutans