Factors associated with number of erupted primary teeth in Brazilian children: A cross-sectional study

摘要

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether nutritional status, gender, weight, and height affected the number of erupted primary teeth in six- to 30- month-old children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving an oral clinical examination, and weight and height measurements of 232 children, as well as a questionnaire filled out by their parents. Statistical analysis involved descriptive data, Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskall-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression in two sets, using the enter method to control the confounding factor (age) and the stepwise method for gender, weight, and height (P<.05). The calculation of effect size proposed by Cohen was used to test the clinical significance of the findings. Results: The number of erupted teeth was not significantly influenced by nutritional status (P<.58; Kruskal-Wallis test) or gender (P=.95; Mann-Whitney test). Body weight had a statistically significant association with the number of erupted primary teeth (P<.001), and height showed a positive correlation with this variable, both independently of the child's age.