Kids of stressed parents prone to tooth decay

Washington, Apr 4 (ANI): Kids born to parents under stress-induced by low income, having little education, and being a single parent-are more likely to have tooth decay, according to a study.

Researchers from The Ohio State University examined the stress levels of parents whose young children either had no cavities or so many cavities that they had to receive anaesthesia before undergoing dental treatment.

The team looked the parents' education levels and income, and noted whether they were single parents.

They finally measured the parents' stress levels again after the children had received dental treatment.

It was found that low income, having little education, and being a single parent led to increases in parental stress.

The researchers also found that the more stressed the parents, the more likely the children were to have decay.

Interestingly, they even found that parents whose children had received treatment for dental decay had lessened stress of being a parent.

Thus, it is required that dental professionals should not only repair childhood decay, but also assist families in finding the help they need to decrease the stress of life.

The investigators presented their findings during the 87th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research. (ANI)