Objective This study aimed to investigate the status of deciduous tooth caries of 3‒6-year-old children and its associated influencing factors among children and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of deciduous tooth caries in children. Methods A stratified random sampling method was employed to select 3‒6-year-old children attending the Stomatology Outpatient Department of Tianjin Children's Hospital between April and December 2024 as the research subjects. Information on children's basic information, oral hygiene habits, dietary habits, and parental attitudes towards children's oral health and their knowledge of oral health were collected through a questionnaire survey. Two professional dentists examined and recorded the dental caries status of primary teeth in children. The status was classified into three categories: caries-free, caries only (without pulp involvement), and caries progressed to pulp-periapical disease or residual roots. Chi-square test, t test, and variance analysis were used to analyze the relationship between categorical variables and the severity of primary tooth caries in children. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the statistically significant factors to determine the independent influence of each factor on the severity of deciduous dental caries in children. Results A total of 250 children were included in this study, comprising 126 boys and 124 girls. The numbers of children aged 3, 4, 5, and 6 years were 28, 54, 80, and 88, respectively. Among the children, 161 were from urban areas, 67 were from urban-rural fringe zones, and 22 were from rural areas. The severity of deciduous tooth caries in children was significantly associated with the timing of starting tooth brushing, the use of dental floss, and parental attitudes toward the importance of regular dental checkups in preventing dental caries in children (P<0.05). By contrast, factors such as gender, age, and urban-rural distribution were not associated with the severity of deciduous tooth caries in children (P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that starting tooth brushing at a later age and parents’ lack of recognition of the importance of regular dental checkups in preventing dental caries were risk factors for the severity of deciduous tooth caries in children (P<0.05). Conclusion Early initiation of tooth brushing and parental emphasis on regular dental checkups play an important role in reducing the severity of deciduous tooth caries in children. Strengthening oral health education for parents and children is necessary to improve their oral health awareness.
