Afolabi, J.B., Oziegbe, E.O., Adegoke, S.A. et al. Dental caries prevention profile of children with and without sickle cell anaemia in a suburban community in Nigeria. BMC Res Notes 18, 353 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07418-6
This study examined the teeth and dental care habits of children with and without sickle cell anemia (SCA) in a suburban community in Nigeria. Researchers found that children with SCA tended to have more cavities than children without the condition, particularly in their baby teeth, although the difference was not very large.
Girls with SCA and children with only fair oral hygiene were more likely to have more severe cavities. Interestingly, common preventive measures like how often children brushed their teeth, using fluoride toothpaste, or eating sugary foods did not show a strong impact in this study.
Another important finding was that children who had previously visited a dentist often had more cavities, suggesting that dental visits were usually reactive—driven by existing problems—rather than preventive. The study highlights how SCA itself may make children more vulnerable to dental problems due to factors like enamel weakness, changes in saliva, and interruptions in routine care caused by hospital visits or illness.
The main takeaway for families as outlined in this study is that children with SCA need early, regular, and preventive dental care as part of their overall health management. Waiting until problems appear is not enough, and extra attention to oral hygiene, particularly for girls and those with moderate hygiene, can help reduce the risk of cavities.
Written by ~ Tomi Ogunsina
