Nurturing Healthy Smiles: Brazilian Immigrant Parents’ Perceptions and Parenting Practices of Healthy Eating to Promote Oral Health in Preschool-Aged Children: A Qualitative Study

TL;DR

This study explores how Brazilian immigrant parents in the U.S. promote oral health in their preschool-aged children through diet and hygiene practices.

Contribution

The study provides novel insights into the unique perceptions and challenges of Brazilian immigrant parents in promoting children's oral health in the U.S.

Findings

Parents strongly associate sugary foods with poor oral health and aim to limit sugar intake.

Barriers such as time constraints and economic limitations hinder consistent implementation of oral health strategies.

Cultural and systemic factors in daycare and community settings influence parents' ability to maintain good oral health practices.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Oral health (OH) in early childhood is a key determinant of long-term well-being, shaped by parenting-related dietary and hygiene habits. While these influences are well-documented, they remain underexplored among Brazilian immigrant families in the United States (U.S.). Therefore, this study was designed to examine how Brazilian immigrant parents’ perceptions and practices regarding diet and oral hygiene affect their preschool-aged children’s OH. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of in-depth interviews with Brazilian immigrant parents of preschool-aged children (ages 2–5) living in the U.S. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted via Zoom, recorded, and transcribed in Brazilian Portuguese. Two native Brazilian researchers experienced in qualitative methods conducted a thematic analysis of the transcripts in Brazilian Portuguese using MAXQDA, a qualitative data analysis software. The analysis focused on identifying key perceptions, parenting practices, and barriers related to children’s diet and OH. Results: Parents strongly associated sugary foods with poor OH, identifying sugar as a major contributor to dental issues. Both mothers and fathers reported limiting sugar intake and encouraging good oral hygiene practices. While parents prioritized educating their children on healthy habits, barriers such as time constraints, reliance on external childcare, and economic limitations affected the consistent implementation of strategies. Conclusions: Brazilian immigrant parents understand the importance of diet and oral hygiene in in supporting their children’s early OH but face barriers in broader social contexts, such as daycare, preschools, and communities. Interventions should aim to support parents in their caregiving roles while simultaneously addressing systemic and environmental obstacles. Public health efforts should account for cultural, economic, and contextual factors to more effectively support Brazilian immigrant families in promoting their children’s OH.