RESUMO
In this study, we modeled the pathways in the association of socioeconomic status, frequency of added sugar consumption, and obesity in mother-child dyads with chronic oral disease burden in early childhood using structural equation modeling. A population-based study was conducted on preschoolers from public daycare centers in São Luís, Brazil (n = 674) and their mothers. Chronic oral disease burden in early childhood was a latent variable, representing the shared variance of the following indicators: visible plaque index, gingivitis, and dental caries. A higher consumption frequency of added sugars by children [standardized regression coefficient (SC) = 0.219] explained the chronic oral disease burden. A higher consumption frequency of added sugars by mothers was associated with greater consumption of sugar by children (SC = 0.236), and indirectly with a greater chronic oral disease burden (SC = 0.052). Maternal obesity was associated with obesity in the offspring (SC = 0.130). The chronic oral disease burden is already present in early childhood and can be explained by the higher consumption of added sugars by the mother-child dyad. Approaches to preventing chronic oral diseases should focus on common risk factors, start early in life, and promote family involvement in this process.