Efficacy of herbal fluoride toothpaste in preventing early childhood caries- A survey

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of herbal fluoride toothpaste in preventing early childhood caries (ECC) among children aged 3-6 years, focusing on the correlation between brushing frequency, parental supervision, and caries incidence.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 20 children from local preschools and pediatric dental clinics who had used herbal fluoride toothpaste for at least six months. Data was collected through structured questionnaires completed by parents, assessing brushing frequency, supervision, previous dental visits, dietary habits, and visible caries presence. Clinical examinations were performed to confirm caries status. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze caries prevalence across different brushing habits and supervision levels, while SPSS software facilitated statistical analysis.

Results: Children who brushed twice daily had a lower incidence of visible caries (20%) than those brushing once daily (70%). Parental supervision was associated with a reduction in caries prevalence, with supervised children showing a 25% incidence compared to 75% in unsupervised children. Parental satisfaction with herbal fluoride toothpaste was high, with 80% reporting satisfaction with the product’s perceived effectiveness.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that regular use of herbal fluoride toothpaste, combined with twice-daily brushing and parental supervision, significantly reduces ECC incidence. This study highlights the importance of supervised, frequent brushing in early childhood caries prevention, supporting the potential role of herbal fluoride toothpaste as an effective caries-preventive measure.