Is oral rehydration therapy associated with early childhood caries in children resident in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria?

Background: Oral rehydration therapy may increase the risk of early childhood caries (ECC) because of reduced pH in the oral environment.

Aim: To investigate associations between the use of oral rehydration therapy and the prevalence and severity of ECC in children resident in the Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria.

Design: This observational study assessed the prevalence and severity of caries, using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II index.