The association between the salivary cortisol level of mothers, children's temperament, and early childhood caries

Abstract

Multiple factors can affect early childhood caries (ECC). Maternal stress and child's temperament, as predictors of child behavior, are among factors that may be associated with ECC. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the salivary cortisol level of mothers as an indicator of maternal stress, child's temperament, and ECC. Methods: Ninety preschool children, who were divided into three groups of ECC, severe ECC (S-ECC), and caries-free (CF), were included in this study, as well as their mothers with no history of anxiety disorders. The salivary cortisol levels of mothers were analyzed using ELISA assay. Children were examined for the evidence of caries, using the decayed-missing-filled teeth index, based on the World Health Organization standard criteria. Child temperament was also assessed, using Cloninger's Preschool Temperament and Character Inventory, consisting of seven significant factors (cooperativeness, harm avoidance, novelty seeking, reward dependence, persistence, self-directing, and self-transcendence). Results: The association between the salivary cortisol level of mothers and temperament of children with S-ECC was positive although it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Of seven temperament factors, only harm avoidance was significantly different between the CF and S-ECC groups (P = 0.016). Conclusion: Maternal stress and child's temperament were not associated with ECC. Based on the present findings, children with less harm avoidance may be more prone to S-ECC.