Molar–incisor hypomineralisation in Norwegian children: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and associations of molar–incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) in 8–9 year-old children in Oslo. A total of 3013 children in one age cohort participated in the study during their regular dental examination at the Public Dental Service. Hypomineralised enamel defects were recorded according to the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria for MIH. Information on health and medications used during pregnancy and in the child's first 3 years of life was obtained from a questionnaire administered to parents. The overall prevalence of MIH was 28.2%, with no gender difference. A higher prevalence of MIH was found in children who had been ill or had used medication in early life and in those whose mother had been ill during pregnancy. No association was found between MIH and prematurity or maternal use of medication during pregnancy. The multivariable analyses showed that children with MIH were more likely to have suffered from illness in early life (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.17–1.70), used antibiotics during the first year of life (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19–2.35), experienced tooth pain (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03–1.72), and experienced pain while toothbrushing (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.46–3.23) than children without MIH. The prevalence of MIH was high in the children participating in this study.