Table 1 Sociodemographic background, oral health-related behaviors, and dietary habits in children with and without ECC.

Sociodemographic profile

Sex

 Male: n (%)

 Female: n (%)

43 (46.2)

50 (53.8)

45 (48.4)

48 (51.6)

0.87

Age

 Mean ± SD

4.5 ± 0.6

3.8 ± 0.7

< 0.001^*

Number of siblings

 Mean ± SD

1.69 ± 0.96

1.64 ± 1.02

0.74

Mother’s education

 Illiterate: n (%)

 Secondary or less: n (%)

 College completed: n (%)

15 (16.1)

59 (63.4)

19 (20.5)

1 (1.1)

58 (62.4)

34 (36.6)

0.001^*

Father’s employment

 Employed

 Unemployed

83 (89.2)

10 (10.8)

86 (92.5)

7 (7.5)

0.85

Oral health-related practices

Pattern of dental visits

 Never: n (%)

 Regular: n (%)

 On pain: n (%)

24 (25.8)

7 (7.5)

62 (66.7)

71 (76.3)

16 (17.2)

6 (6.5)

< 0.001^*

Use of toothbrush

 Yes: n (%)

 No: n (%)

64 (68.9)

29 (31.1)

69 (74.2)

24 (25.8)

0.81

Daily use of toothbrush

 Yes: n (%)

 No: n (%)

20 (21.5)

73 (78.5)

28 (30.0)

65 (70.0)

0.40

Dietary habits

Night feeding

 Yes: n (%)

 No: n (%)

70 (75.3)

23 (24.7)

29 (31.2)

64 (68.8)

0.001*

Frequency of sugary snacking

 Once: n (%)

 Twice: n (%)

 Three or more: n (%)

17 (18.3)

32 (34.4)

44 (47.3)

49 (52.7)

28 (30.1)

16 (17.2)

< 0.001^*

Oral hygiene status

Plaque index

 Mean ± SD

0.78 ± 0.33

0.54 ± 0.23

< 0.001^*

Salivary parameters

Salivary pH

 Mean ± SD

7.46 ± 0.41

7.71 ± 0.47

0.001^*

Buffering capacity

 Mean ± SD

0.91 ± 0.18

0.97 ± 0.14

0.04*