ORAL HEALTH PRACTICES DURING THE FIRST 1000 DAYS OF LIFE: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a bibliographic literature review on current good practices in oral health during the first 1000 days of life, encompassing the gestation period and the initial two years of the child. Materials and methods: A scientific literature review was conducted in February and March 2022, utilizing the Pubmed and Scopus databases. The inclusion criteria encompassed original articles and systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis) published between 2016 and 2022. Search strategies incorporating English keywords derived from MeSH were employed. Additionally, the grey literature was reviewed to define some key concepts. Results: 72 scientific articles, and four references from the grey literature (one clinical practice guide and three reports) were selected. The identified themes were categorized as follows: good oral hygiene practices, good feeding practices for pregnant women and infants, parafunctional habits, and dental visits. Based on the findings, the key recommendations for promoting good oral health practices during this crucial period include the use of fluoride toothpaste for oral hygiene once teeth erupt, avoidance of free sugar consumption, encouragement of breastfeeding over bottle-feeding, and early dental visits before birth. Conclusion: Good oral health practices during the first 1000 days of life significantly impact the child’s oral and general health, necessitating preventive measures starting from gestation, with a focus on oral hygiene and nutrition. The collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary healthcare team during pregnancy and the initial two years of life are vital for enhancing both oral and general health outcomes for the population.