Maternal Depression Linked to 40 Percent Higher Risk of Early Childhood Tooth Decay, Meta-Analysis Finds

Wentao Bian, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, 710000 Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, and colleagues conducted an extensive review of existing literature to assess whether depressive symptoms in mothers could influence their children's risk of developing dental caries in early childhood. Drawing from multiple scientific databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, the team screened studies dating up to June 1, 2024.

Key findings were as follows:

• Seven studies, with 22,764 participants, were included in the final analysis.
• Data were combined using either fixed or random effects models based on study heterogeneity.
• The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework.
• Maternal depression was linked to a 40% higher risk of early childhood caries.
• The calculated odds ratio was 1.40, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.09 to 1.80.
• The analysis showed substantial variability between studies, with an I² value of 71.9%, indicating potential inconsistencies in the data.

Although the number of studies included was relatively small, the results indicate a potential link between maternal mental health and children’s dental outcomes. Researchers noted that while this study offers important initial evidence, more robust and detailed studies are needed to confirm the relationship and identify underlying mechanisms.

One possible explanation is that maternal depression might impact parenting behaviors such as maintaining children’s oral hygiene routines, attending dental visits, or ensuring a balanced diet. Additionally, depression could reduce a mother’s ability to detect early signs of dental problems or prioritize preventive care.

The authors emphasized the importance of integrating mental health support into maternal and child health programs. "Improving awareness and education around maternal mental health could play a key role in preventing early dental problems among children," they noted.

The study brings attention to the often-overlooked role of maternal well-being in shaping child health outcomes. It suggests that oral health interventions should consider the broader psychosocial environment of young children.

"Maternal depression significantly raises the risk of early dental caries in children, highlighting the need for greater emphasis on educating parents about maternal mental health," the authors concluded.

Reference:

Wentao Bian, TingTing Gao, Wenkai Bian, Qiang Zhang. Maternal depression increases the risk of early childhood caries (ECC): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2025; 49(3): 30-38. doi: 10.22514/jocpd.2025.047.